Memphis Grizzlies at New York Knicks Betting Preview
Life for the Knicks has not been so good of late, while Memphis rides in after a win over the Hawks. The teams will be getting together in the Big Apple for the only time this season, East-West teams playing one game apiece in the other’s building. At 26-23, Memphis has exceeded expectations considering that Jaren Jackson Jr. is still yet to debut.
They have been winning with a combo of defense and just a team effort on the offensive side of things. Ja Morant has been dishing and swishing, to quote Knicks commentator and legend Walt Frazier. Jonas Valanciunas has been putting up double-doubles on the nightly, while the likes of Kyle Anderson, Grayson Allen, and Dillon Brooks make plays to make sure they can hold the leads.
New York lost a tight one to the Celtics on Wednesday, which they will hope to put behind them. The Knicks are a pair of games under .500, meaning a mini win-streak could get them right back to even. Julius Randle has had his ups and downs but seems to have figured out the art of the triple-double. The problem for NY has been that they have been crushed on the offensive glass over the last few games. They have to be better.
Odds: The spread is currently sitting at Memphis -1.5, the underdogs favored. The over/under is set at 213.5 points.
Memphis Seeking Road Victory
The 27th win of the year would be in the books for Memphis, should they conquer the Knicks in this road contest. Jonas Valanciunas should have all the opportunities in the paint to bang with the lanky Nerlens Noel pretty early on. And RJ Barrett will probably draw the assignment of Ja Morant. Whoever covers Ja will be in for a tough day.
Memphis got a 23-point outburst from Dillon Brooks when the Grizzlies met the Heat earlier in the week. This is relevant because Andre Iguodala plays in Miami and was on the floor for much of it. Iggy had some comments about Memphis not being a winning situation and choosing to sit out while the team attempted to trade him a season ago.
This team always finds a new motivation.
Knicks Seek Home Resurgence
25-27 is not a bad record by any means when you consider where folks expected the Knick to finish this year. But, the fact that they haven’t been able to win with any consistency is a little troubling. The roster will probably undergo some significant changes ahead of next season as they try and upgrade the players at several spots.
Immanuel Quickley and Alec Burks have had some big moments off the Knick bench this year. But neither guy is good enough to suffice as a #3 option. This is very clearly Julius Randle’s team, with the young RJ Barrett sliding into the role of sidekick. After that, nobody is able to produce with any regularity, and it kills the team’s consistency.
Knicks Get the W at Home
While serving as the underdogs on paper, the Knicks will be the victors by day’s end. Randle won’t let them lose again.
FREE PLAY: KNICKS +1.5
OVER/UNDER: OVER 213.5
