What a difference a change in personnel makes. The Memphis Grizzlies still have the No. 2 scoring defense in the NBA but they are playing at a much higher pace than they were before the break. They’ll play the league’s No. 5 scoring offense at Staples Center tonight where the Clippers are 11 games above .500 this season. LA is a nine-point favorite with the total at 221.
Grizzlies vs Clippers Game Center
Standout Stats
The Grizzlies’ injury report is a very long list with both Mike Conley and Joakim Noah questionable for tonight’s game as of the writing of this preview. If Conley is unable to go, mid-season acquisition Jonas Valanciunas becomes the Grizzlies’ top scorer.
LA has the No. 5 pace rating in March at 103 possessions per game. Memphis is No. 20 at 99.7. before the all-star break, Memphis was dead last in this category.
The Clippers are the No. 1 scoring team in the month of March at 120.5 points per game. Memphis is No. 13 at 112.8 points per game. Both teams are also in the top half of the league in scoring differential this month.
The OVER has hit in eight of the last 10 games for both of these teams. All of the Grizzlies’ last four road games have gone OVER the total, while five of the Clippers’ last six home games have gone OVER the total.
The Clippers are shooting 42.8 percent from beyond the arc this month. That mark leads the NBA. Opponents are shooting 37 percent in this spot against the Grizzlies this month, giving Memphis the No. 24 three-point defense.
LA is 12-2 SU this month, giving them the best winning percentage in the Association over the last 31 days. Meanwhile, Memphis is 9-4 ATS in its last 13.
My Best bet for Grizzlies vs Clippers
OVER 221 Point
This game has all the markings of an OVER: A team that is leading the league in offense this month vs a team that has lower totals than maybe it should be based on the full season body of work.
Undoubtedly, the presence of Mike Conley will have an impact on the total in this game, but I think Memphis will find a way to contribute enough points regardless of who is in their lineup.
