Best NBA Prop Bets for Knicks vs. Grizzlies (Back Jalen Brunson, Desmond Bane on Wednesday)

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson. / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies take on RJ Barrett and the New York Knicks on Wednesday night in both team’s season opener

The Grizzlies have moved down from six-point favorites to four-point favorites with guard Dillon Brooks listed as doubtful for tonight’s game. 

If you’re looking for some prop action, I have three picks for this game, including a play on the newest Knick, Jalen Brunson. 

Knicks vs. Grizzlies Best NBA Prop Bets

  • Jalen Brunson OVER 27.5 Points, Rebounds and Assists (-115)
  • Desmond Bane OVER 20.5 Points (-105)
  • First Quarter UNDER 58.5 Points (-110)

Jalen Brunson OVER 27.5 Points, Rebounds and Assists (-115)

The Jalen Brunson era officially begins in New York on Wednesday night, and the Knicks fared pretty well with Brunson on the floor in the preseason. 

In New York’s final preseason tune up, Brunson played a full complement of minutes (31) and finished with 27 points, four rebounds and five assists, which would allow him to easily clear this prop. 

He finished the preseason averaging 16.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game in 26.8 minutes per night. The minutes are going to go up, which gives me confidence Brunson will clear this number. 

If you look at Brunson’s stats last season without Luka Doncic, which is what things may look like in New York, this is a value. Brunson put up 20.4 points, 7.5 assists and 3.9 rebounds in 17 games without Doncic in the 2021-22 season. 

Desmond Bane OVER 20.5 Points (-105)

Desmond Bane is going to have a bigger role in the first game of the season, as the Grizzlies don’t have Jaren Jackson Jr. (foot) and probably won’t have Dillon Brooks (doubtful) in this matchup. 

In 46 games without Brooks last season, Bane averaged 18.9 points per game. However, now that Jackson is also out, someone has to take on an increased role for the Grizz. Back Bane to thrive in this game. 

First Quarter UNDER 58.5 Points (-110)

Both of these teams had top-11 defenses last season, but the Grizzlies were an elite first-quarter scoring team. 

I’m going against that in this matchup with Jackson and Brooks out, especially since New York was 19th in the NBA in first quarter scoring. 

With both teams looking to find their footing early, this total is a bit too high for me on Wednesday.


Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.