Suns vs. Grizzlies: NBA odds, Picks and Predictions
Suns vs. Grizzlies Odds
| Suns Odds | -+9.5 |
| Grizzlies Odds | -9.5 |
| Over/Under | 226.5 |
| Date | Mon, Jan. 16 |
| Time | 6:00 p.m. |
| TV | TNT |
On Monday evening, the short-handed Phoenix Suns will travel to the FedEx Forum to play the Memphis Grizzlies. Entering play, Phoenix (21-23) is tied with the Utah Jazz for the final play-in position in the Western Conference. Memphis (29-13) is only a half-game behind the Denver Nuggets for the 1-seed. In this Martin Luther King Jr. Day matchup, oddsmakers are anticipating a lopsided affair, pricing the Grizzlies as 10-point home favorites on the spread.
Phoenix Suns
Devin Booker OUT
Per Cleaning the Glass, the Suns rank in the 96th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 27th percentile in defensive efficiency when Devin Booker is on the floor this year, compared to the 8th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 68th percentile in defensive efficiency when he is on the sidelines. In 28 games with Booker in the lineup (excluding Christmas when he played only four minutes), Phoenix is 18-10. When he is in street clothes, the Suns are 3-13.
Since Booker last played a full game on December 17, Phoenix is 3-11, ranking 27th out of 30 teams in Net Rating. In that span, only the Milwaukee Bucks and Houston Rockets have a worse offensive efficiency.
Who will step up for Phoenix?
In addition to Booker being ruled out on Monday, the Suns will also be without Chris Paul, Cameron Johnson, and Cameron Payne. Per CourtIQ, when all four of these players are off of the floor this year, Deandre Ayton and Duane Washington see the largest increase in usage (+2.3%).
In these situations, Ayton is averaging 22.2 points 14.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per 36 minutes. Washington is averaging 25.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per 36 minutes. Expect both players to be heavily involved in the offensive game plan once again when facing Memphis.
Memphis Grizzlies
Morant listed as questionable
Entering play today, Memphis has won nine consecutive games – the longest current winning streak in the NBA. However, there is a possibility that they could be without Ja Morant for this matchup, who is listed as questionable ahead of tip-off.
Per Cleaning the Glass, the Grizzlies rank in the 79th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 93rd percentile in defensive efficiency when Morant is on the floor this season, compared to the 55th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 86th percentile in defensive efficiency when he is on the sidelines.
In 35 games with Morant in the lineup this year, Memphis is 25-10. In seven games without Morant, the team is 4-3. His status is worth monitoring as tip-off approaches.
Who will step up if Morant does not play?
Per CourtIQ, Jaren Jackson Jr. (+5.2%) and Dillon Brooks (+4.4%) see the largest increase in usage when Morant is not on the court this season. In such situations, Jackson Jr. is averaging 27.0 points and 9.3 rebounds per 36 minutes of action. Brooks is averaging 22.4 points per 36 minutes of action when Memphis is missing their leading scorer.
Expect both Jackson Jr. and Brooks, in addition to Desmond Bane, to have expanded roles in the offense if Morant is unable to suit-up on Monday.
Suns vs. Grizzlies – Picks & Predictions
Simply, this holiday matchup is a battle between two teams trending in opposite directions in the Western Conference standings. The Memphis Grizzlies have won nine games in a row, and are a half-game behind the Denver Nuggets for the 1-seed in the standings. The Phoenix Suns are 3-11 without Devin Booker this year, ranking 27th out of 30 teams in Net Rating since he last played a full game on December 17. Expect Memphis, 18-3 at home, to take care of business in this spot. Take them on the spread in what should be a comfortable victory for the home favorites here.
PICK: Grizzlies -9.5 (-110, MGM)
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