Memphis Grizzlies vs Sacramento Kings Prediction: Another high-scorer for the Kings?

The NBA Regular Season is heading to the new year but it is the same old theme, around the midseason window, we can witness a bunch of trades and the player movement can affect the scenario. This season we have seen some teams continue their exploits from last season and look to take the next step. Two of those teams Memphis Grizzlies and the Sacramento Kings are going to meet here.

Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies enter the affair after defeating the Pelicans 116:101 as Ja Morant scored 32 points and Steven Adams piled up 21 rebounds. The win marked the second win in a row for Memphis and they have recovered from a slump where they had lost four of their five games. The Grizzlies have been in great touch at home, winning 14 of their 17 games, and doing a great job on the defensive end especially. The offense has been a bit up and down at times but the team balance has kept the Grizzlies’ season afloat.

The Grizzlies' defense has been amazing at contesting shots and the team has allowed the least percentage from the floor, giving up just 44% field goals. While their own field goal percentage is nothing spectacular, they have done a great job of pinning second-chance points, being the number two offensive rebounding team, largely thanks to Steven Adams. Ja Morant has been the usual enforcer whereas Desmond Bane’s production is way down after a month’s long absence. However, Dillon Brooks and Jaren Jackson have made up for that shortcoming.

Sacramento Kings

The Kings fly into this game after eking out a close 126:125 win against the Jazz on the back of sharpshooter Kevin Huerter’s 30 points night including a game-winning three with nine seconds to go. This was Sacramento’s second straight win and both of those wins have been by a point. They have won 19 and lost 15, having won five of their last eight games, but they have a lot of work to do. Their playing style enables them to score way higher than the average NBA scorer but at the same time, they have allowed 120+ points continuously.

The Kings are second in points per game, scoring 118.3 on average, shooting the best percentage inside the three-point line(58.8%) while shooting the third-best shooting percentage overall(49.%). Domantas Sabonis is a big reason for this great production as he chooses his shots carefully. However, mostly, the top scoring belongs to the ever-producing Guard De’Aaron Fox. The Kings received a great long-range boost from Kevin Huerter while Malik Monk has been a blur off the bench. The Forward duo of Keegan Murray and Harrison Barnes complement these three well.

Injuries

• Grizzlies: OUT: Danny Green. Game-Time Decisions: Ziarie Williams, Santi Aldama;
• Kings: Game-Time Decision: Malik Monk.

Player Props Predictions

• Expected Leading Scorers: Ja Morant(30-36 Points), De’Aaron Fox(26-31 Points);
• Expected Leading Rebounders: Steven Adams(14-19 Rebounds), Domantas Sabonis(11-15 Rebounds);
• Expected Leading Playmakers: De’Aaron Fox(9-11 Assists), Ja Morant(8-11 Assists).

Expert Betting Tips

There is a high chance that the Grizzlies win this game, they are at home and have a base that has proven to be too much for even top teams. However, the Kings can’t be taken lightly as a couple of shots can get them revved up for a big night. Rebounding battles are going to be crucial, especially the one between Adams and Sabonis. At home, I do lean toward the Grizzlies but I do believe that the Kings are going to come with a great amount of energy. I predict a scoreline of 128:123 in favor of Memphis.