The FedEx Forum showcases a cross-conference matchup on Wednesday evening. The Memphis Grizzlies host the New York Knicks in the regular season opener for both teams. Memphis finished with 56 victories and a playoff series win a year ago, and the Grizzlies will begin the season without Jaren Jackson Jr. as a result of a foot injury. New York was 37-45 last season, and the Knicks added a high-profile guard in the offseason with Jalen Brunson joining the team.
Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. ET in Memphis. Caesars Sportsbook lists Memphis as the 4-point home favorite, while the over/under, or total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, is 226 in the latest Knicks vs. Grizzlies odds. Before making any Grizzlies vs. Knicks picks, you'll want to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past four seasons. The model went a stunning 88-60 on all top-rated NBA picks last season, returning more than $2,100. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Knicks vs. Grizzlies. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several NBA betting lines and trends for Grizzlies vs. Knicks:
- Knicks vs. Grizzlies spread: Grizzlies -4
- Knicks vs. Grizzlies over/under: 226 points
- Knicks vs. Grizzlies money line: Grizzlies -190, Knicks +158
- NYK: The Knicks were 23-18 against the spread in 2021-22 away games
- MEM: The Grizzlies were 31-16 against the spread in 2021-22 home games
- Knicks vs. Grizzlies picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Knicks can cover
With Tom Thibodeau at the helm, the Knicks are always solid on the defensive end. New York allowed only 1.11 points per possession last season, an above-average mark, and the Knicks were dominant on the glass. The Knicks secured 74.0% of available defensive rebounds, No. 4 in the NBA, and New York finished in the top six of the league in field goal percentage (44.7%) and 3-point percentage (34.2%) allowed to opponents.
On offense, the Knicks project for improvement with Jalen Brunson at the point guard spot, and he averaged 16.2 points per game for the Mavericks last season. New York was in the top six of the league in offensive rebound rate (29.1%) and free throw attempts (24.1 per game), with above-average marks in 3-point percentage (35.7%) and 3-point attempts (36.9 per game). New York also excels in ball security, committing only 13.3 turnovers per game in 2021-22.
Why the Grizzlies can cover
Memphis has elite characteristics on both sides of the floor, leading to the team's 56-win eruption last season. The Grizzlies finished in the top five of the NBA in offensive efficiency in 2021-22, scoring 114.3 points per 100 possessions. Memphis led the league in offensive rebounding, securing 33.8% of missed shots, and the Grizzlies were in the top 10 of the NBA in free throw creation and turnover prevention.
Ja Morant is one of the most dynamic players in the league, averaging 27.4 points per game, and Desmond Bane is an elite shooter, including a 43.6% mark from 3-point range in 2021-22. On defense, the Grizzlies wreak havoc on the opposition, leading the NBA in steals (9.8 per game) and blocked shots (6.5 per game) last season. Memphis was also in the top three in turnovers created (15.1 per game), helping to lead to a top-six defense that allowed fewer than 1.09 points per possession.
How to make Grizzlies vs. Knicks picks
The model is leaning Under on the total, projecting 216 combined points. It also says one side of the spread hits nearly 60% of the time. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Grizzlies vs. Knicks? And which side of the spread hits almost 60% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.
