NBA 2022/23, Monday, 07.11.2022
I have deliberately chosen the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Washington Wizzards for today’s NBA tip.
Because looking at the momentum, there are no two franchises in the NBA that could be further apart on this night. Readers will take the rationale for my optimism regarding a Grizz victory from my Grizzlies Wizards prediction below.
The Grizzlies are simply a great team that has been just as successful this year as the Dark Blue were expected to be beforehand. Especially since Ja Morant has long since ceased to be the sole entertainer.
Memphis gets a lot of additional offensive power from Desmond Bane with 24.3 points per game so far and Dillon Brooks – who still scores 15 per game – which has been clearly reflected on the scoreboard in the last duels.
On Saturday morning alone, the Grizzlies blew away the Hornets 133-99 in a game that took on historic proportions. For once, it was not Ja Morant, but one of his teammates, who provided a moment of glory in Grizz franchise history.
Steven Adams signed a multi-year contract extension with the Grizzlies on October 2, 2022, which was not only lucrative but – as the game against Charlotte Hornets also shows – might have paid off for the franchise.
Because the New Zealander accomplished something in this game that has not been seen in 37 years of NBA: 13 points, 19 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks within a playing time of only 22 minutes.
Adams – who calls himself the “Big Bastard” – recorded 16 of his rebounds in the first period alone, which was also the most ever by a Grizzlies player before halftime.
What should also be mentioned is that superstar Ja Morant had his worst performance of the season that night with only 12 points. But the fact that this had no impact on his team’s outstanding performance reveals just how spread out Memphis is this season.
Looking ahead to the upcoming game against the Wizards, it can be said that Memphis has just played its best game of the season and is extremely strong on the boards – not least because of their “New Zealand rebounding machine”.
The Wizards, on the other hand, have just suffered a defeat against the Nets that was just as severe as the one the Hornets suffered against their upcoming opponents. Specifically, it’s an embarrassing 86-128 shellacking against the Nets.
Clearly, the Nets are the Nets! But Washington put on by far their worst performance of the season. Only 36.1 % of all field goal attempts found their target, and they also lost the rebound duel against the New Yorkers by a clear 39:48.
In short, the momentum is clearly on the Grizzlies’ side. Because while Washington was just demolished, the dark blue managed to lead the Hornets at will without Ja Morant having to take the lead role.
This will give the Grizz an enormous boost in view of the tasks ahead. Especially since there are also game-analytical reasons why Memphis should win this duel. Washington’s rebound rate is far too low.
The Grizzlies, by the way, have outplayed their upcoming opponent for a few years now – no wonder with all the young talent the Dark Blues have been able to acquire lately.
The Grizz have already won five of their last six NBA duels against the Wizards, including the last one in January this year.
While the football world is gearing up with World Cup 2022 bonus offers for the approaching World Cup finals in Qatar, the best sports betting providers were also in action this weekend when it comes to basketball.
The bookies came to the unanimous opinion that the Grizz are the clear favourites in this match with odds of around 1.15, an assessment that I share 100%.
Conclusion: The Grizzlies did very well to extend the contract of Steven Adams a month ago. Because he is an absolute asset to the Dark Blue’s game and just made NBA and franchise history on Saturday.
Just 48 hours after that historic night – which no Hornets fan will soon forget – I honestly find it very hard to believe that the Wizards have anything to counter that with.
Especially since Washington just got themselves run into the ground against the Nets, with an extremely poor perimeter shooting record that certainly won’t win them a pot against the Grizz.
My Grizzlies Wizards tip: Win Memphis with handicap -7.5.
