The NBA returns after the All-Star break Thursday night, and one of the best matchups of the night features the Memphis Grizzlies (35-22, 2nd in the West) taking on the Philadelphia 76ers (38-19, 3rd in the East). The 76ers will host this one at the Wells Fargo Arena, with tipoff scheduled for 7:30 pm ET.
Philadelphia is the favorite in this one playing at home. They are -176 to win, while the Grizzlies’ moneyline sits at +148. The spread features Memphis as 4-point underdogs (-110), and the over/under for total points is 229.
Memphis Hopes To Improve On The Road
At 35-22 overall, Memphis has had an outstanding season. Still, there is room for improvement as they are just 11-17 on the road this season versus 24-5 at home. They will look to add another tally to that win column as they play in Philadelphia Thursday night.
The Grizzlies come into this one ranked ninth in scoring, averaging 116.1 points per game (113.6 on the road). They are led by Ja Morant, who is averaging 27.3 points, 6 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game.
Other contributors include Desmond Bane (21.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists), Jaren Jackson Jr (16.9 points, 6.7 rebounds), and Dillon Brooks (14.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists).
Defensively, Memphis ranks eighth in the NBA, allowing an average of 112.2 points per game to opponents (116.4 on the road).
Philly Looks to Make Push In The East
Philadelphia currently sits in third in the Eastern Conference, just three games back of the conference-leading Boston Celtics. Having won four games entering the break, they look to stay hot at home, where they are 23-8 this season, and hope to make a push in the Eastern Conference standings.
The 76ers are elite on the defensive end. They currently rank third overall, allowing opponents just 110.5 points per game.
On the offensive side, they rank 16th, averaging 114.4 points per game. Joel Embiid leads the 76ers’ offense. He is currently averaging 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.
James Harden (21.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 10.8 assists), Tyrese Maxey (19.8 points, 3.6 assists), and Tobias Harris (15.4 points, 6 rebounds) are also having great seasons.
Take Philadelphia To Win And Cover
Looking at the trends, Memphis is just 4-9 in their last 13 games, and they are 4-10 against the spread in their last 14. In their last seven road games, they are winless coming into this one.
For Philadelphia, they are 13-3 in their last 16 games and 6-1 in their last seven home games. In their last six home games against Memphis, they are 5-1 against the spread.
This comes with the caveat that Ja Morant can single-handedly take over a game, but it is really hard to trust Memphis on the road. They have been absolutely atrocious away from home all season, and that likely won’t change as they take on a stacked 76ers team.
Expect Philadelphia to win this one relatively easily. Take them to win and to cover the 4-point spread (-110).
