Memphis Grizzlies vs. NY Knicks Predictions 2/2/22

When: Wednesday February 02 2022, 07:30 PM (ET)

Where: Madison Square Garden: New York, New York

TV: BSSE-MEM

Point Spread: MEM -3.5/NYK 3.5 (Opened at MEM -2 at BetNow – They’ll give you a 100% REAL CASH bonus up to $1000!)

Total: 217.0 (Opened at 217)

Money Line: Memphis -159/New York +133)

Power Rating: MEM -4

Probable Starting Lineups

Memphis: PG Ja Mortant, SG Desmond Bane, SF Ziaire Williams, PF Jaren Jackson Jr., C Steven Adams

New York: PG Kemba Walker, SG RJ Barrett, SF Evan Fournier, PF Julius Randle, C Nerlens Noel

Key Injuries

Grizzlies
Dillon Brooks: ankle (OUT) Tyus Jones: illness (OUT) Ziaire Williams: ankle (PROBABLE)

Knicks
Ryan Arcidiacono: ankle (OUT) Derrick Rose: ankle (OUT)

Recent Form

The Memphis Grizzlies enter today’s game, having won 6 of their past ten games. When playing away from home, the Grizzlies are an above .500 team, having gone 16-9. As the road team, the Memphis travels to New York with a positive plus-minus rating of 0.2 points. Overall, the Grizzlies are ranked 6th among NBA teams in point differential (0.5). Among NBA teams, they have played the 5th toughest schedule.

For bettors, taking the Memphis Grizzlies to cover the spread has been a winning bet as they hold an ATS record of 34-19. Their season-long plus-minus against the spread is 2.7.

On offense, the team’s leading scorer is PG Ja Morant. So far, Morant is averaging 26.35 points per game, ranking first among point guards. The Grizzlies’ best three-point shooter has been Desmond Bane, connecting on just under three three-pointers per game on a percentage of 42%. Steven Adams has been in charge of cleaning up the glass, hauling in 9.41 boards per game.

The New York Knicks enter today’s game, winning four of their past ten games. When playing in New York, the Knicks have played at a below .500 rate, having gone 13-1. As they get set to host the Grizzlies, New York has a positive home plus-minus of 0.1 points. Overall the Knicks are ranked 19th among NBA teams in point differential (1.7). This mark has come while playing the 6th easiest schedule.

Heading into the game, New York has put together an ATS record of 25-26. This includes having covered the spread in six of their past ten games. On offense, the team’s leading scorer is PF Julius Randle. So far, Randle is averaging 18.47 points per game while knocking down 41% of his field-goal attempts. Behind him is RJ Barrett at 17.3 points per contest while adding six rebounds per game.

An Eye On Pace

Coming into this matchup, the Grizzlies and Knicks prefer to play at different tempos. So far, Memphis is the 2nd ranked team in field goal attempts, putting up 93 shots per game. On the other side of the court, New York averages the 3rd fewest shots per game. But, despite their low number of shots, they still rank 10th three-point attempts, averaging 37 per game

Key Matchups

Even though the New York Knicks have a much worse record, I see them matching up fairly well with this Grizzlies unit. So far, Memphis is the 4th ranked scoring team in the NBA. However, the Knicks come into this game with the 5th best scoring defense at 104.6 points per game. In addition, throughout the season, Memphis has relied on inside scoring for a large portion of their points. If they hope to continue this trend, it will need to come vs. a Knicks unit giving up just 41 points in the paint per contest (2nd).

The Historicals

This game between the Grizzlies and Knicks will be their first meeting of the season. Last year, New York won both matchups.

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How the Public is Betting the Grizzlies vs. Knicks

55% are betting the Grizzlies against the spread.

54% are wagering on the game to go under the posted total of 217.

Betting Trends Worth Noting

• Grizzlies are 5-0 ATS in their last five games following an ATS loss.
• Grizzlies are 14-4 ATS in their last 18 road games.
• Knicks are 8-2 ATS in their last ten home games.
• Knicks are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.

Joe’s Pick to Cover the Spread

The New York Knicks come into this game looking to get themselves back in the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference. Heading into their matchup with Memphis, they are just .5 a game behind the Hawks for the 10th seed. Even though New York enters as the home underdog, I expect them to pick up a win vs. Memphis. Look for the Knicks strong interior defense to at least limit the scoring efficiency of Ja Morant.

Prop Bets Worth Wagering

My favorite prop bet of the night is to take Desmond Bane to go over his player prop of 2.5 made three-point shots. With the Knicks looking to pack the paint, Bane should get plenty of open looks from outside. Your sportsbook doesn’t offer prop bets or not many? Make the switch to Bovada Sportsbook for a better wagering experience! Plus, they offer a 50% real cash bonus, rebates on ALL your bets, horse racing, casino action and the fastest bitcoin payouts on the web! Click here to check them out!