Betsided

Grizzlies vs. Hornets Prediction and Odds (Memphis on Track to Beat Up on a Struggling Charlotte Squad)

By Matt De Saro

The Memphis Grizzlies have the luxury of playing a Hornets team struggling to put up wins.
The Memphis Grizzlies have the luxury of playing a Hornets team struggling to put up wins. / Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
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The game of the night in my house will be this one featuring the Memphis Grizzlies and Charlotte Hornets doing battle at the Spectrum Center. The Grizzlies lead the Southwest Division with a 39-18 overall record and are riding a four-game win streak heading into tonight. The Hornets, meanwhile, have not had the same luck as the Grizzlies. Despite a strong roster, the Hornets are losers of six of their last seven and were on a six-game losing streak before beating the lowly Pistons in their last game. It was the Pistons’ seventh loss in a row so no huge accomplishment from the Hornets. But, a win is a win, and one that breaks a losing streak is always a good thing. These two teams have a lot of similarities despite being on opposite ends of a winning streak. Here are the odds for this primetime brawl courtesy of WynnBET: 

Grizzlies vs. Hornets Odds, Spread, and Total

Spread:

  • Grizzlies: -7 (-110)
  • Hornets: +7 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Grizzlies: -300
  • Hornets: +240

Total: 

  • 239 (Over -110/Under -110)

Grizzlies vs. Hornets Prediction and Pick

While the Hornets technically turned things around against the Pistons, they are such a weak team I hardly consider that a bounce-back game. Even after scoring 132 points. This is the game that the Hornets need to win for me to be convinced that they are out of their funk. This will be made all that more difficult due to Gordon Hayward, Cody Martin, and Jalen McDaniels being out for this game due to nagging injuries. That has been an ongoing issue for this team and a major reason they are falling off their early-season pace. The loss of those guys, along with other injuries, is a major reason why the Hornets are just 3-7 in their last 10 games overall. Their defense is allowing teams way too much time and space and giving up 115.5 points per game during that stretch. For most of the year that was ok because the Hornets are averaging a league-leading 113.8 PPG. But, those scoring numbers are beginning to dip and the defense has a spotlight on them. 

So, the Hornets are a good team playing badly. Does this make them a bad bet? I would say yes. I don’t think they have turned anything around just because they beat up on a trash team. The Hornets are also the worst team in the league on a back-to-back with just one win in ten games and a 3-7 against the spread playing on no rest. The Grizzlies are not only a better team, but they are playing better too and I think they have a shot to blow the Hornets out tonight. 

Lean: Grizzlies -7 (-10)

Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE

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