One of the most interesting NBA games scheduled for Thursday, February 23, will be played in Philly, and here you can read the best Grizzlies vs. 76ers betting pick and odds.
Philadelphia is hoping to get the fifth consecutive victory when they host Memphis at Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers are 4-point favorites on BetOnline Sportsbook, while the total is set at 229.5 points. These inter-conference rivals will meet for the second time this season, the Grizzlies won 117-109 in Memphis.
Grizzlies beat the Jazz in Memphis
The Memphis Grizzlies (35-22, 26-30-1 ATS) did win three of the last four games, but they are going through their worst period of the season. The Grizzlies lost nine of the previous 13 games but are still clear in the 2nd position in the Western Conference with two wins ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers and three more than the Kings and Suns. Memphis managed to beat the Utah Jazz 117-111 at home in the most recent game. Despite shooting only 40.2% from the field and losing the rebounding battle (46-61), the Grizzlies forced even 23 turnovers (13-2 is steals) and committed just four on the other end.
Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 26 points nine rebounds, game-high five steals, and game-high four blocks. Desmond Bane added 24 points, six boards, and four assists, Ja Morant had 20 points, game-high nine dimes, eight rebounds, and two thefts, while Dillon Brooks and Santi Aldama scored in double figures.
C Steven Adams (knee) is out indefinitely and will not play on Thursday in Philadelphia.
76ers are climbing to the 3rd spot in the East
The Philadelphia 76ers (38-19, 34-23-0 ATS) opened their five-game home stand with a couple of victories over the Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers. The Sixers are now on a four-game winning streak and are only four wins behind the EC leaders Boston Celtics with two games in hand. Philadelphia was up by 25 points at halftime against the Cavaliers, and although the Cavs played much better in the second half, the 76ers won 118-112.
Joel Embiid led the Sixers with a double-double of 29 points and a game-high 14 rebounds along with five assists and two steals. James Harden recorded a double-double of 19 points and a game-high 12 dishes with four boards, De’Anthony Melton had 17 points and four dimes, while Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris, and P. J. Tucker combined for 39 points.
SG/SF Furkan Korkmaz has missed the previous two contests due to a personal matter, and it is unknown if he will suit up for Thursday’s showdown against the Grizzlies.
Trends:
Memphis:
- 4-10 ATS in the last 14 games overall
- 7-18-1 ATS in the last 26 games playing on three or more days of rest
- 1-6 ATS in the last seven road games
Philadelphia:
- 4-0 ATS in the last four games overall
- 20-6 ATS in the last 26 home games
- 7-3 ATS in the last ten games playing on three or more days of rest
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Philadelphia 76ers Pick
The Grizzlies have a bit better offense that is scoring 116.1 points per game opposite Philadelphia’s 114.4 ppg, but the Sixers do have a stronger defense. Philly has the third-best D in the NBA that allows 110.5 ppg, and although the Grizzlies also have a top-10 defense, without Steven Adams in the paint is going to be hard for the visitors to stop Embiid from scoring a bunch of easy points from the interior. Memphis has a better backcourt, but Embiid is going to dominate this game, and I am backing him to have a 30-point double-double on Thursday.
Pick: Take the 76ers at -2.5 (-130)
The Total
Even though both teams have top 10 defenses and are among the best ten in the league when it comes to defensive rating, I am going with a high-scoring affair here. The teams combined for 226 points in the previous H2H duel, and I expect to see around 230 this time around. Philly scored 118+ in three of the last four games, while the Grizzlies allowed 111+ points in each of their previous nine road games. Over is 7-3 in the last ten H2H meetings, while Over is 6-2 in the previous eight H2H duels in Philadelphia.
Pick: Go Over 227.5 points (-130)
