Grizzlies vs. Kings: NBA odds, Picks and Predictions
Grizzlies vs. Kings Odds
| Grizzlies Odds | -1.5 |
| Bulls Odds | +1.5 |
| Over/Under | 246.5 |
| Date | Mon, Jan. 23 |
| Time | 10:30 p.m. |
| TV | NBA TV |
Monday’s NBA action will conclude at the Golden 1 Center with a matchup between the Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings. Entering the new week, Memphis (31-15) and Sacramento (26-19) both rank in the top-three in the Western Conference standings. In this contest, oddsmakers are anticipating a competitive game script, pricing the Grizzlies as 1.5-point road favorites on the spread.
Memphis Grizzlies
Looking to stop the skid
Following a stretch of 11 consecutive victories, Memphis enters play on Monday on a two-game losing streak, with back-to-back losses to the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns this past weekend. Though it is tempting for bettors to assume that a team of Memphis’ caliber will be able to snap back into a groove in this spot, it is worth asking – is there a disconnect between the Grizzlies’ reputation and their actual talent level?
We aren’t in Memphis anymore
During their 11-game winning streak, from December 29 to January 18, Memphis played only three teams above the .500 mark, and each of those three matchups came in their home building, where they are an NBA-best 22-3 this season. The three teams above .500 that they defeated were the New Orleans Pelicans (missing Brandon Ingram), Sacramento Kings, and the Cleveland Cavaliers (missing Darius Garland).
Last Friday, Memphis started a five-game road trip, with three of those teams currently below the .500 mark. Both the Lakers and Suns, neither of which were above .500 at the time of play, handed the Grizzlies a loss. Tonight, Memphis will face their toughest test of the trip to date, playing Sacramento.
Sacramento Kings
Putting the pieces together
The Kings have not had a winning season since they went 44-38 during the 2005-2006 campaign. That 16-year drought appears likely to end this spring, with Sacramento seven games above the .500 mark with only 37 games remaining in the regular season.
Since January 9, this team is 6-1, with the best Net Rating in the NBA in that span – outscoring their opponents by 13.1 points per 100 possessions. However, similar to the Grizzlies, the Kings have played a collection of underwhelming teams during that run. In their last seven games, they have beaten the Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets (twice), San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, and Oklahoma City Thunder – all teams that are currently on a trajectory towards the lottery rather than the postseason this summer.
Tough at home
In 25 home games, Sacramento is 15-10, ranking 10th out of 30 teams in Net Rating. Yet, it is worth noting that the Kings lost to the Philadelphia 76ers in their most recent contest, even with the 76ers resting Joel Embiid and James Harden. In fact, Sacramento has only one home victory against a team above. 500 since November 15 – a 127-126 win against the Denver Nuggets shortly after Christmas.
Grizzlies vs. Kings – Picks & Predictions
Instead of betting on a side between two teams that have yet to prove themselves against superior competition this year, bettors should dive into the player prop market in this spot. In each of his last three games on zero rest, Ja Morant has scored at least 30 points – including a 35 point performance against the Kings on January 1. Sacramento ranks fourth in pace at home this year and Memphis ranks fourth in pace on the road. Expect a high-scoring affair between these two teams on Monday and for Morant to have enough volume to hit the over on his points prop.
PICK: Ja Morant o28.5 points (-109, Caesars)
Image Credit: Imagn