NBA 2022/23, Wednesday, 11/16/2022
The New Orleans Pelicans will beat the Memphis Grizzlies tonight. Especially since the Pels have already managed to take down many a fellow NBA giant at the Smoothie King Center in recent weeks – usually in convincing fashion.
What my optimism is also based on is the subject of my Pelicans Grizzlies prediction. But I can reveal one thing in advance: Without “Yes” and “Des”, almost nothing works offensively for the Grizzlies!
The Pelicans are one of the teams that have improved the most so far compared to last year – even if it is still too early to assess their exact playoff chances. Nevertheless, the start has already been successful with a record of 7:6.
New Orleans has high hopes of finishing in the top six this season and thus making it to the postseason without having to go through the play-in tournament. The chances of success are not exactly small.
In fact, the Pels have some extremely talented players in Zion Willamson, Lary Nance Jr and Jaxson Hayes. But in order to be successful in the long run, it will be important to make sure that Williamson stays healthy.
Zion Williamson is arguably the greatest NBA talent of the last decade, but didn’t play last season due to injury, which is why New Orleans finished 8th in the Western Conference.
The injury-prone No. 1 pick has played in just 85 games over the last three seasons since he was drafted. Yet the Pels have presented him with a 5-year contract worth between 193 and 231 million.
However, his performances so far justify this decision as he is the reason for the current surge! Williamson is averaging 23.5 points with 6.4 rebounds per game, making him the figurehead for the Pelicans.
The Pelicans are quite capable of winning this game. On the one hand, because Zion Williamson is currently playing outstanding basketball and on the other hand, because this game comes at the worst possible time for the Grizzlies.
Memphis suffered a 92-102 defeat against the Wizards just a few days ago. The reason why the Grizz scored the fewest points in a season game that night is quickly explained.
Their two absolute key players, Ja Morand and Desmond Bane, had to sit out against Washington. Their absence again against New Orleans is considered very likely and will once again have a massive impact on the Dark Blues’ game structure.
Incidentally, Memphis already won a duel against Washington just one week before their 92:102 defeat. But then the line-up was completely different than in the previous day’s rematch when 60% of the starting five was out.
In the next away game for Memphis I expect the rookies David Roddy, Jake LaRavia and Kennedy Chandler to be given more playing time again, but on the way forward Dillon Brooks will once again be the only one who can develop enough penetrating power.
I expect the home side to build on their recent strong performances at the Smoothie King Center against a shorthanded Grizzlies side.
The Pels have won three of their last four home games here – including against the Mavs and Warriors.
However, the Pelicans’ home strength is a phenomenon with which their upcoming opponents are very familiar. After all, Memphis has only managed to win one of its last six guest games against the Southerners.
In the betting markets, meanwhile, many bookmakers are focusing their attention on creating exciting World Cup 2022 bonus offers for the upcoming major football event in Qatar.
But the best sports bettors when it comes to basketball will continue to be primarily interested in the NBA.
The Pelicans Grizzlies odds for tonight, by the way, have already been set. According to these, the Pels are the favourites with odds of 1.76 – as was to be expected.
Conclusion: I am quite of the opinion that the Pels – provided that Zion Williamson is not out for months again – can actually occupy one of the places one to six in the end.
At the moment, the Pelicans, who have been spared injuries for the most part, are playing their best basketball anyway. The situation is completely different for the upcoming opponents, who will be extremely weakened on two positions.
Moreover, high-flyers Ja Morand and Bane Desmond have already missed the last game of the dark blue team. The result? The Grizz scored their fewest points in a regular-season game that night against Washington …
My Pelicans Grizzlies tip is therefore as clear as day: The Pels win!
