Filip Tomic
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It’s an all-Western Conference showdown in Memphis tonight as the New Orleans Pelicans take on the Grizzlies. You can watch the game live on NBA TV from 6:00 pm ET, and I’ve prepared a same game parlay which you can find below.
You can read predictions on the side and total for all of Saturday’s 4-game slate, but first let’s get into the Pelicans vs Grizzlies game.
New Orleans Pelicans ML (+215)
Jonas Valanciunas under 18.5 points (-116)
CJ McCollum over 24.5 points (-108)
Parlay odds: +891
New Orleans Pelicans ML (+215)
The Grizzlies have already locked in the #2 seed for the playoffs and have nothing to play for in the final 2 games, while the Pelicans have to win either or both of theirs to clinch home-court advantage in the play-in tournament. This motivational edge for the Pelicans should cause them to play with a bigger sense of urgency. Besides, New Orleans has already beaten the Grizzlies once this season by 11 points, so it’s not like they are heavily outmatched. In fact, over the last 15 meetings the Pelicans are 10-5 SU and have also covered the spread in 7 of the last 9 head-to-head. With Memphis resting key players again and possibly having to integrate Ja Morant back into the lineup, they could struggle a bit and that is the Pelicans’ chance to pull off an upset.
Read our full game preview for New Orleans Pelicans vs Memphis Grizzlies
Jonas Valanciunas under 18.5 points (-116)
Jonas Valanciunas hasn’t had much luck playing against the Grizzlies this season. In 3 games against them he is averaging just 14.7 points per game and in 2 of those he went under 18.5 points. In his last game against them he managed just 10 points and was a -37 when on the floor, so it’s pretty clear that the Grizzlies’ style of play doesn’t suit him. Steven Adams is a tough matchup for any center in the league. He and Jonas are about the same weight, but Adams is more agile inside the paint, which gives him the advantage. There’s also the factor of Pelicans head coach Willie Green resting his big man. Over the last 2 games he has logged just 22 minutes in each of them, scoring just 14 and 8 points. With Brandon Ingram possibly returning to the lineup tonight, Valanciunas’ role on offense might be diminished once again.
Also check out our same game parlay for Warriors vs Spurs (+1012 odds!)
CJ McCollum over 24.5 points (-108)
CJ McCollum has also seen his minutes decrease over his last 2 games, but unlike Jonas he has made the most out of them, scoring 23 points in each of the wins over Portland and Sacramento. With the Pelicans needing one more win to secure home-court advantage in the play-in against San Antonio, I think McCollum will play a lot more than he did against the lesser teams in Portland and Sacramento. He has had some really good games against the Grizzlies this season, going over 24.5 points in all 3 meetings. In the last 2 games he dropped 32 and 30 against them, shooting a combined 25-for-46 from the field which is impressive. Assuming Memphis also rests a few key guys, it could be another solid night for CJ. Don’t be surprised if he goes for 30 points.
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