Far from the best of the West collide on Friday night, as the New Orleans Pelicans host the Memphis Grizzlies at Smoothie King Center.
The Grizzlies (18–27, 11th West), hampered by injuries, have dropped 11 of their last 14 games and enter Friday’s contest on a four-game skid — including a 133–127 home loss to New Orleans on Jan. 23. The Pelicans (12–37, 15th West) built on that momentum with a win in San Antonio, but they’ll aim to rebound from Tuesday’s loss in Oklahoma City and break out of a tie for the NBA’s worst record.
Before last week’s loss, Memphis took the first two meetings with its Southwest division rival and will now look to avoid splitting the regular-season series in Friday’s finale.
Here’s a look at the Injury Report:
Memphis Grizzlies
- Out: Ja Morant (Elbow), Santi Aldama (Knee), Brandon Clarke (Calf), Zach Edey (Ankle), Scotty Pippen Jr. (Toe)
- Doubtful: Ty Jerome (Elbow)
New Orleans Pelicans
- Out: Dejounte Murray (Achilles)
Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. New Orleans enters as a 2.5-point home favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Memphis sits as a +114 underdog. The game’s total is set at 232.5 points.
Grizzlies vs. Pelicans Preview
Memphis Grizzlies Preview
As articulated by former Memphis star Dillon Brooks, the Grizzlies kind of “fell off.” The team has followed up last season’s first-round playoff exit with a brutally inconsistent campaign, currently holding a less than 10 percent chance of clinching a postseason berth, according to ESPN’s NBA Basketball Power Index.
Of course, an ever-growing injury report hasn’t helped. Playing without several key starters — most notably Ja Morant, the team’s leading scorer and facilitator — Memphis has dropped 11 of its last 14 games, including four straight.
Heading into Friday’s rematch with New Orleans, the Grizzlies will likely lean on interim star Jaren Jackson Jr., who totalled 26 points and 12 rebounds against the Pelicans on Jan. 23. He’s flanked by big man Jock Landale and primary playmaker Cam Spencer, each of whom also added 20-point double-doubles in last week’s losing effort.
New Orleans Pelicans Preview
The Pelicans enter Friday’s contest as a betting favorite for just the fifth time all season, and reasonably so. New Orleans currently owns the NBA’s 25th-ranked net rating and is tied with Sacramento for the worst record in the league.
However, the Pelicans feature some strong weapons that are capable of exposing weaker teams — their latest win in Memphis being a case in point. Saddiq Bey set a season-high with 36 points while shooting 6-for-9 from deep; Trey Murphy III added 32 points while swiping three steals; and Zion Williamson chipped in 24 points and 11 rebounds in the six-point victory.
Grizzlies vs. Pelicans Pick, Best Bet
The Pelicans won’t be sniffing the playoffs anytime soon, but they’re plenty capable of capitalizing against a Memphis team that’s missing three of its top five scorers. Albeit a limited four-game sample, New Orleans owns a perfect record against the spread as a betting favorite. Expect the trend to continue on Friday night.
