Andrew Ortenberg
Show Bio
The NBA is finally back in full swing after an All-Star break that felt too long, and one of the best games on Friday’s slate is this Western Conference showdown between the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies on NBATV. Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic vs. Jar Morant. We’ve cashed a couple of these NBA same game parlays with big payouts recently, let’s do it again.
What better way to make this nationally televised showdown even more entertaining than by betting a same game parlay? We’ve also got thoughts on the side and total, which you can find out in our full game preview.
Memphis Grizzlies -6.5 alternate spread (+265)
Nikola Jokic to record 30+ points (+200)
Parlay odds: +1307
We’ve got a simple two-leg parlay here, one which pays out north of 13/1 with FanDuel Sportsbook. We get a big odds boost by combining a Grizzlies win with a big Jokic scoring night, when I don’t think it conflicts at all. Let me explain:
Memphis Grizzlies -6.5 alternate spread (+265)
I think the Grizzlies are being undervalued in this spot. Memphis has quietly played really well recently, going 4-2 in their last six games. The two losses in that span came to the Bucks (by only one point) and the Clippers, two of the best teams in the league. They also beat the Clippers by 28 in that span.
Each of their last ten victories have come by at least nine points, so I’m not really too concerned with this alternate spread. If they win, there’s a very good chance they’re going to win by a healthy margin. Outside of one game against the Bucks, the Nuggets have played a really soft schedule recently, and I think Memphis’ intensity will come as a shock to their system.
Nikola Jokic to record 30+ points (+200)
We get a huge odds boost for combining this with the Grizzlies winning, when I really don’t think it conflicts much at all. FanDuel is treating this as if there’s a huge opposite correlation, when Jokic’s scoring numbers are actually much better in losses than in wins this season. In fact, he’s averaging a whole 3.7 points per game more in losses than in wins.
He had a night a few weeks ago where he dropped 43 points and Denver still lost by 13. As for his chances of getting to 30 in general, I think the +200 has some value even without the odds boost we get. He’s gotten to at least 30 in nine of his last 18 games, when +200 implies he only has a 30 percent chance of getting there.
What is a Same Game Parlay?
Check out our guide on what is a same game parlay and where can I bet it?
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