NBA Game Preview: Memphis Grizzlies at Phoenix Suns

Dec 23, 2022

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Game: Memphis Grizzlies @ Phoenix Suns

Time:  10:00 p.m.

Odds:  Grizzlies -2, Suns +2

Total: 224.5

Memphis star Ja Morant recently revealed that the only opponent he is concerned about is the Boston Celtics of the Eastern Conference. That’s sure to anger teams in the West. It’s interesting to note that over the next five days, Morant and the Grizzlies will play two of the best Western Conference teams. That begins with a visit to Phoenix to play the Suns tonight.

The Suns had the best regular-season record in the NBA last season and had advanced to the NBA Finals two seasons prior. Coming into this game, the Suns are 19-13 after having lost six of its previous nine games. The Grizzlies are 19-11 and tied with Denver for the best record in the West.

The Grizzlies get a bonus as they will not have to face Suns leading scorer Devin Booker. The Phoenix guard will miss his third straight game due to a groin injury. In his most recent game, Booker poured in 58 points in a 118-114 win over New Orleans last Saturday.

On Tuesday, Landry Shamet accomplished career highs of 31 points and nine three-pointers, giving his best Booker impersonation. Phoenix, however, lost to the Washington Wizards, 113-110, which ended the Wizards’ 10-game losing streak. Deandre Ayton added a very quiet 30 points and 13 rebounds in the loss.  What many may remember is the in-game argument between Ayton and Suns head coach Monty Williams.

Morant and Memphis will be looking to beat Phoenix for a third straight time. The Grizzlies suffered their second straight loss on Tuesday, falling to the host Denver Nuggets 105-91 despite Morant’s 35 points and 10 assists. Memphis trailed by 21 at the end of the first quarter. In the opening game of their road trip, Memphis also trailed by 21 at halftime before losing 115-109 to the Oklahoma City Thunder last Saturday. Morant didn’t get much help in the loss to Denver. The Grizzlies’ second-highest scorer was Dillon Brooks with just 11 points.

Both Memphis and Phoenix are among the top-10 in points per game and opponent points per game. The Grizzlies lead the NBA in rebounding averaging 48.8 per game. They are also No. 1 in opponent field goal percentage holding teams to 44.7 percent shooting from the field.

Memphis is 7-2 SU in its last nine games. The Grizzlies have been good to bettors with an 8-3-1 ATS record in their last 12 games. Memphis is 6-3 SU and ATS in the last nine against Phoenix, but the Grizzlies are just 2-10 ATS in their last 12 road games.

The Suns are 3-6 SU and ATS in their last nine games. They are 14-4 SU in their last 18 games at home. Phoenix leans Under at home with an 8-10 O/U record at the Footprint Center. The Under is 7-3 in the last 10 Grizzlies-Suns games. The total has gone Under in five of Memphis’ last seven games.

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