Keagan Smith dives into his pick and prediction for the Memphis Grizzlies vs. Denver Nuggets game on Wednesday\u2019s NBA slate.<\/p>\n
Tonight\u2019s NBA slate includes seven games. While the battle between the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies is sure to be lopsided as a contender with one of the three best players in the world faces off against a rebuilding squad with a ridiculously long injury report, we can still find betting value ahead of the 9 p.m. ET tip time.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a Grizzlies vs. Nuggets prediction and pick on DraftKings Sportsbook for this Wednesday matchup.<\/p>\n
Grizzlies vs. Nuggets prediction, preview<\/p>\n
Memphis Grizzlies<\/p>\n
The Grizz punted on their season with the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade around the deadline. At 25-54, a spot at 12th in the Western Conference and an abundance of draft picks means a brighter future in the long run. They\u2019re 23rd in NETRTG at -5.0, but that mark has dropped to 26th since the All-Star break at -10.8 with the tank on in full force.<\/p>\n
Memphis is 18th in PPG with 115.0, sitting 23rd in OFFRTG. The team shoots 45.8% from the field and 35.6% from three, marks which rank 27th and 19th in the league. The Grizzlies do lean on the deep ball with the ninth-most 3PA, too, but they\u2019re fourth in overall FGA. They\u2019re also 23rd in rebounds with 42.2 per game, and the defense has fallen to 25th in opponent scoring by allowing 120.0 PPG with the 23rd-ranked DEFRTG.<\/p>\n
Based on those rankings, 23 seems to be all the rage. Unfortunately, MJ isn\u2019t walking through that door. There are 11 players listed out for tonight including but not limited to Santi Aldama, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Brandon Clarke, Zach Edey, GG Jackson, Ty Jerome, Ja Morant, Scotty Pippen Jr., Javon Small, Cam Spencer and Jaylen Wells. Olivier-Maxence Prosper is doubtful and Jahmai Mashack is questionable. With that in mind, we\u2019re looking at Cedric Coward (13.4 PPG, 5.9 REB), Taylor Hendricks (10.4 PPG) and Walter Clayton Jr. (9.4 PPG, 5.8 AST) leading the charge.<\/p>\n
Denver Nuggets<\/p>\n
The Nuggets have experienced much more success and are positioned to compete for a title. They\u2019re currently third in the Western Conference at 51-28 as they ride a nine-game winning streak with the chance to make it 10 tonight. Beyond that, a +4.8 NETRTG ranks eighth in the NBA.<\/p>\n
Denver\u2019s offense is easily the best in basketball, pacing the league in PPG (121.8) and OFFRTG. This group is elite in terms of efficiency with the second-best FG% at 49.5% and the top 3P% at 39.5% as well. Beyond the typical shooting metrics, the Nuggets are also fourth in free-throw rate, shooting the fifth-best percentage from the stripe at 80.8%. On the glass, they bring in 43.6 rebounds per game, around the middle of the pack league wide. The defense remains shaky though, allowing 117.0 PPG (21st) and holding that same ranking in DEFRTG.<\/p>\n
The Nuggets are led by Nikola Jokic, the three-time MVP averaging 28.0 PPG plus an NBA-best 12.9 REB and 10.9 AST. Jamal Murray is coming off the best year of his career with 25.4 PPG and 7.2 ASY, while Aaron Gordon pitches in 16.5 PPG with 5.9 REB. Tim Hardaway Jr., Cam Johnson and Christian Braun all score double-digit points in key roles. Peyton Watson is the only player ruled out besides Spencer Jones.<\/p>\n
Grizzlies vs. Nuggets pick, best bet<\/p>\n
DraftKings Sportsbook lists the Nuggets as massive -23.5 favorites tonight on their home floor with -4000 odds on the Moneyline. The Grizzlies are listed at +1600 odds on the ML with the game total set at 246.5 combined points.<\/p>\n