It will be a matchup between two superb defenses when the Denver Nuggets (17-9), 1.5-point favorites, clash against the Memphis Grizzlies (15-10) at Pepsi Center. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 200 points and it will air on Altitude Sports & Entertainmnt at 9 p.m. ET on Monday, December 10, 2018.
Memphis Grizzlies at Denver Nuggets ATS Odds
In their last outing, the Grizzlies (2.5-point favorites) were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers, 111-88, while the Nuggets (5.5-point favorites) fell to the Atlanta Hawks, 106-98. The Memphis game went 9.5 points under the projected point total of 208.5, while the Denver game went 21 points under the projected point total of 225.
Memphis did a fantastic job of making free throws (14-18; 77.8 percent) while Denver did a great job of converting from the free throw line (17-21; 81.0 percent). Denver’s Nikola Jokic had a solid performance, contributing 24 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. Memphis, meanwhile, was lifted by Wayne Selden Jr., who put up 17 points and five rebounds.
In their first matchup this year, Marc Gasol led the Grizzlies to an 89-87 win. He registered a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds. The two teams combined to score 176 points, which was well under the projected point total of 204, and Memphis covered as a 3-point underdog. Memphis was successful at getting to and converting from the charity stripe. The Grizzlies made 21 of their 25 free throws (84.0 percent), while the Nuggets were 15-19 (78.9 percent).
Vegas has a tendency to place the total high when the Grizzlies are involved, as 60.0 percent of their games have ended under the total. Memphis holds records of 15-10 straight up (SU) and 15-10 against the spread (ATS).
Games involving the Nuggets also have typically finished under the projected point total (61.5 percent). Further, Denver is 17-9 SU and 15-11 ATS.
Juancho Hernangomez has been exceptional as of late for Denver, averaging 13 points,6.8 rebounds over the last five games.
Half-court execution will be critical when a pair of the NBA’s slowest-paced teams clash. Denver currently ranks 22nd in possessions per game (101.5) and Memphis is 29th (99.0). Moreover, the Grizzlies, who rank 29th in offensive rebounding percentage (17.9 percent), might struggle to get put-back points against the Nuggets, who rank fourth in defensive rebounding percentage (78.9 percent).
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Denver Nuggets ATS Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Nuggets, ATS Winner – Grizzlies, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Nuggets rank 5 in points in the paint per game (52.61538461538461) while the Grizzlies rank 18 (46.64).
- Denver ranks second in second chance points per game (15.8) while Memphis ranks 29th (9.6).
- The Nuggets rank seventh in fast break points allowed per game (12.0) while the Grizzlies rank 27th (15.8).
- Memphis ranks fourth in points off turnovers per game (19.8) while Denver ranks 21st (16.1).
- Memphis ranks 1 in steals allowed per game (6.56) while Denver ranks 16 (7.6923076923076925).
- The Grizzlies rank third in blocks per game (6.1) while the Nuggets rank 25th in blocks allowed per game (6.0).
- The Nuggets rank 3 in assists per game (27) while the Grizzlies rank 19 (23.48).
- Denver ranks 20 in three pointers attempted per game (29.846153846153847) while Memphis ranks 26 (27.6).
- Denver ranks eighth in rebounds per game (47.5) while Memphis ranks last (39.7).
- In games where they allow under 100 points, Denver is 9-1 and Memphis is 7-2.
- When reaching the century mark, the Nuggets are 17-5 and the Grizzlies are 11-4.
- Memphis is 7-6 ATS on the road, while Denver is 8-4 ATS at home.
- Of the Grizzlies’ 13 road games, they have 8 unders and 5 overs.
- The Nuggets have 7 unders and 5 overs in 12 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Memphis and Denver are both 3-2 ATS.
- The Grizzlies have 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games, while the Nuggets have 3 overs and 2 unders
- The Grizzlies have been outscored by an average of 2.2 points in their last five games. For the season, Memphis has defeated opponents by an average of 0.8 points.
- During their last five games, the Nuggets have scored an average of 109.6 points per game (0.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 110.4 points per game (6.6 above their season average).
