Memphis Grizzlies vs Detroit Pistons: Memphis has become an elite team

The NBA betting world is a world full of tricky terrains and the varied results produced over games can make for a difficult time. Now, add COVID-19 to the mix and while the teams reproduce so many different lineups, the task of predicting games becomes even tougher. Anyway, still, here we are, delving into another NBA contest as the Detroit Pistons visit the Memphis Grizzlies. Detroit has been among the worst-faring teams in the league and has only won seven times in 36 games, which means that the team needs a miracle to get to the Play-in tournament and frankly, that doesn’t look likely at all. On the other hand, the Grizzlies are just the reverse, they have won 25 out of 39 games and are on a six-game winning streak. It is clear which teams enter as the favourite here! But can the Pistons add a win after they had beaten the defending champs Milwaukee Bucks a few days ago? Highly unlikely but the game is played for a reason. For a quick look, jump to “Notes”. For my game result and total prediction, go to “Expert Betting Tips”.

Pistons lack of victories, Grizzlies’ lack of losses

Pistons form: Detroit had won two games in a row before losing to the Hornets in a blowout fashion 111:140. Well, the team has only won two in a row once all season long and Detroit has lost 14-15 games in a row before, which indicates their frailties. The team is young and also most of the players are inconsistent. Still, they have played some surprisingly poised basketball recently and their 115:106 win over the defending champions Milwaukee Bucks certainly arose a surprise. It means that trends can get broken a lot in the NBA and thus, even a team with the worst record can win against an elite squad. The Pistons are in a rebuilding mode and this is how most rebuilds tend to go, you lose a lot, gain a big pick and try to build around young players. This is why the Pistons fans will have to suck up the losses and hope at least two or three among Cunningham, Hayes, Bey, Stewart, Jackson, and the upcoming young players produce something special in future. And Cunningham looks like the key player as of now.

Grizzlies close well: Ja Morant has been a terrific closer for the Memphis Grizzlies. He makes key buckets during late games, such as the game-sealing layup in the 114:113 win against the elite Suns and made a key steal to notch a layup late in the game versus the Cavaliers too allowing Memphis to pull through. These are just two examples but the Grizzlies, courtesy of Morant, have finished games on a strong note. They have won six in a row for the first time this season but have won five in a row three times already, that is why they look even more imposing each day. Well, Morant has been a great finisher but mostly, the Grizzlies have been a better defensive team compared to November and while their offense has always been effective this season, the team has reached to a new level on defense and look like an elite squad, something which you couldn’t say about them back in November.

Notes

Here are some quick hitters related to the game:

• Pistons have scored 111, 115, 117, 85, 109 in the last five games;
• Pistons have conceded 140, 106, 106, 94, 144 in the last five games;
• Grizzlies have lodged 110, 118, 118, 104, 114 in the last five games;
• Grizzlies have given up 106, 104, 105, 99, 113 in the last five games;
• Grizzlies have won six in a row. They have won two straight at home;
• Pistons have won two out of the last three;
• Ja Morant has scored 26, 36, 30 in the last three games;
• Steven Adams has grabbed 11, 12, 13 rebounds in the last three contests;
• Cade Cunningham has scored 16, 19 points in the last two games. He has dished 7 assists in both of these games;
• Saddiq Bey has scored 11, 34, 21, 32 in the last four games;
• Hamidou Diallo has scored 9, 11, 34, 31 in the last four games;
• Jaren Jackson Jr. has scored 22, 5, 12 in the last three games;
• Grizzlies absent list: Desmond Bane is doubtful for this game. De’Anthony Melton and Dillon Brooks have cleared the COVID-19 protocols but they are questionable for the game. Kyle Anderson is doubtful for the game. Xavier Tillman and John Konchar remain out at the time of writing;
• Pistons absent list: Cory Joseph and Isaiah Stewart may play here after clearing COVID-19 protocols. Kelly Olynyk and Jerami Grant remain out;
• Do go through the league’s injury list before placing stakes.

Expert Betting tips

Points Range: Grizzlies have scored 110 or more in four of the last five games, and that has been the theme for them all season long. Their defense has limited oppositions to 99-106 range which is why they have won so much recently. On the other hand, the Pistons have scored 111 or more in three of the last four games, which is commendable considering how they were faring on that end till mid-November(scoring below 100). Their defense has been up-and-down, they have held a couple of opponents to 106 or below but two opponents have scored 140 or more in two of the last five games, which is really a lot of points. If we take all the metrics into account, this has the potential to be a high scorer but with Grizzlies’ highly improved defense, such possibilities can be lowered. I think the Grizzlies will get past at least 110 here. I believe the total points range here is 218-229.

Prediction: Let us see what we have on plate here. One team in Pistons has the second-worst record in the league and on the other hand, the Grizzlies have been among the top squads since December, winning more games than a squad like Nets recently. This means that the Pistons are most likely in for a major beatdown even if Desmond Bane doesn’t play for the Grizzlies. I think the Grizzlies have a 94% chance of winning this especially playing at home. I take them to win this 122:104.

Betting Options

• Memphis Grizzlies: Total Points Over 116.5 for 1.90;
• Total Over 221.5 for 2.07;
• Team Props: DET Pistons Over 103.5 for 1.86.