The 2021-22 NBA season continues with a loaded 11-game Friday card, bringing plenty of interesting markets to the bettors, so we are taking a closer look at the Western Conference showdown at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, to get you the best Grizzlies vs. Nuggets betting pick and odds.
Memphis and Denver meet for Game 3 of their four-game regular-season series. The Grizzlies aim for their third straight win over the Nuggets, opening as 4-point road underdogs with a total of 220.0 points on BetOnline Sportsbook.
The Grizzlies dropped two of their last three contests
The Memphis Grizzlies fell to 31-16 straight up and 30-17 ATS following a 126-114 defeat at the Milwaukee Bucks this past Wednesday. It was their second loss in the last three outings, as the Grizzlies couldn’t cope with the Bucks’ fluid offense.
Milwaukee handed out 29 assists and shot 47.9% from the field. On the other side, the Grizzlies made only 41.5% of their field goals and 22.5% of their 3-pointers. Ja Morant led the way for Memphis with 33 points and 14 assists, while Jaren Jackson Jr. added 29 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks.
The Grizzlies are without a couple of important players in Dillon Brooks (ankle) and Desmond Bane (medical protocols). Brooks will certainly miss a few more weeks, while Bane, who’s averaging 17.7 points per game, will probably return next week. Memphis is the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, tallying 111.8 points per 100 possessions (9th in the NBA) and yielding 108.3 in a return (tied-8th).
The Nuggets beat LA on the back of Nikola Jokic’s 49-point performance
The Denver Nuggets (23-20; 18-25 ATS) are coming off a 130-128 overtime victory to the Los Angeles Clippers this past Wednesday. It was their third win in the last four showings at any location, as the Nuggets continue to chase the Dallas Mavericks for the No. 5 seed in the West.
Nikola Jokic dominated the Clippers, finishing with a triple-double of 49 points, 14 rebounds, and ten assists. With 1.9 seconds left in overtime, the reigning MVP found Aaron Gordon for an open 3-pointer that sealed the victory for the Nuggets. Gordon had 28 points on 10-for-16 shooting from the field, while Monte Morris posted 19 points, nine boards, and nine assists.
Jokic has been terrific as of late, averaging 26.4 points, 13.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 1.2 steals over his previous ten appearances. The Nuggets sit at the sixth spot of the Western Conference standings, scoring 110.7 points per 100 possessions (13th in the NBA) and surrendering 109.7 in a return (tied-14th).
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Denver Nuggets Pick
The Grizzlies have done a tremendous job so far this season, but with Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks on the shelf, Memphis has suffered a couple of losses in three outings. They’ve gone 2-0 SU and ATS in the previous two meetings with Denver in 2021-22, and the Grizzlies will have a tall task Friday when they visit Ball Arena for the first time this season.
The Nuggets, on the other side, have been unpredictable all season. Nikola Jokic looks unstoppable on the offensive end, but the Nuggets’ defense hasn’t been at its best over the last few months. Denver should have enough firepower to deal with the short-handed Grizzlies, so I’m backing the hosts to win and cover. Jokic will have another big game, while the Nuggets’ defense has to step up and keep Ja Morant in check.
Pick: Take Denver Nuggets -4.0 at -110
The Total:
The under is 5-1 in the last six meetings between the Grizzlies and Nuggets. Both of their first two encounters in 2021-22 have gone under the total, and I would stick with this betting trend, expecting the Nuggets to slow down the tempo and force Memphis into half-court basketball.
While the Grizzlies average 99.6 possessions per 48 minutes, the Nuggets register 96.6. Denver needs to play aggressive defense and take it slow on the offensive end in order to grab its seventh consecutive home win over the Grizzlies.
Pick: Go under 220.0 points at -110
