Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Memphis Grizzlies Betting Prediction 01/17/20

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The Memphis Grizzlies (19-22) and the Cleveland Cavaliers (12-29) square off at FedExForum. The Grizzlies are an 8-point favorite and will try to prolong their six-game winning streak. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 229 points and it can be seen on Fox Sports – Southeast at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, January 17, 2020.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Memphis Grizzlies ATS Odds

In the Grizzlies’ last matchup, they were victorious over the Houston Rockets, 121-110, despite being 6-point underdogs. The Cavaliers, meanwhile, were blown out by the Los Angeles Clippers, 128-103, and failed to cover as 16.5-point underdogs. The Memphis game went 7.5 points under the projected point total of 238.5, while the Cleveland game finished 6.5 points over the projected point total of 224.5.

The Grizzlies had an extraordinarily low turnover percentage of 6.6 (better than their season average of 13.0) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.577 (above their season average of 0.534). Cleveland, meanwhile, did an excellent job of making free throws (13-15; 86.7 percent). Memphis’ Ja Morant had a solid performance, putting up 26 points, eight assists and five rebounds. Cleveland rallied around Darius Garland, who put up 14 points and 10 assists.

In their first matchup this season, Jordan Clarkson led the Cavaliers to a 114-107 victory. He scored a game-high 33 points. Cleveland covered as a 2.5-point underdog and the two teams combined for 221 points, which was just under the projected point total of 222. Cleveland’s free throw rate was their largest strength over Memphis. The Cavaliers had a rate of 0.185, while the Grizzlies posted a mark of 0.049.

Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the total of Cavaliers games, with 22 overs compared to 19 unders. Cleveland heads into the game with records of 12-29 straight up (SU) and 17-22-2 against the spread (ATS).

Games featuring the Grizzlies also have gone over the projected point total 53.7 percent of the time. Additionally, Memphis is 19-22 SU and 22-18-1 ATS.

The Cavaliers’ Garland has been playing well over his last five games, averaging 16 points,4.8 assists,1.2 steals per game. Meanwhile, Morant has averaged 19 points,9.4 assists during that same time frame for the Grizzlies.

Getting to the line might be few and far between for Memphis in this showdown. The Grizzlies currently rank 27th in the league with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.174, while Cleveland ranks first in FTA rate allowed (0.157).

Cleveland Cavaliers at Memphis Grizzlies Free Pick

Free Pick: SU Winner – Grizzlies, ATS Winner – Cavaliers, O/U – Over

Betting Notes:

  • Memphis averages 54.9 points in the paint per game, which ranks first in the league. Cleveland ranks 29th in points allowed in the paint per game (53.3).
  • The Grizzlies rank ninth in blocks per game (5.4) while the Cavaliers rank last (3.3).
  • Memphis averages 7.9 steals per game, which ranks 10th in the NBA. Cleveland ranks 28th in steals allowed per game (8.7).
  • Memphis ranks 20th in points off turnovers per game (16.5) while Cleveland ranks last (13.8).
  • The Grizzlies average 27.9 assists per game, which ranks first in the NBA. The Cavaliers rank 29th in assists allowed per game (25.9).
  • The Cavaliers rank 13th in second chance points per game (13.2) while the Grizzlies rank 27th in second chance points allowed per game (14.3).
  • Memphis averages 17.1 fast break points per game, which ranks fourth in the league. Cleveland ranks 27th in fast break points allowed per game (15.2).
  • Cleveland is 4-3 when they allow below 100 points, while Memphis is 1-0.
  • When scoring above 100 points, the Cavaliers are 11-18 and the Grizzlies are 19-17.
  • Memphis is 13-10 ATS at home, while Cleveland is 9-11-1 ATS on the road.
  • The total has gone over in 14 of the Grizzlies’ 23 home games, while 12 of the Cavaliers’ 21 road games have gone over.

Bettings Trends:

  • The Grizzlies are 5-0 ATS over their last five games, while the Cavaliers are 3-2.
  • In their last five games, Memphis has 3 unders and 2 overs, while Cleveland has 4 overs and 1 under.
  • During their last five games, the Grizzlies have scored an average of 123.4 points per game (9.8 above their season average) and allowed an average of 111.8 points per game (4.1 below their season average).
  • The Cavaliers’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 9.0, down from 9.1 for the season.