The Memphis Grizzlies (31-14 SU, 22-21-2 ATS) roll into Golden 1 Center on Monday to take on the Sacramento Kings (26-19, 25-20) as both teams look to get back into the win column after having lengthy streaks snapped.
The Grizzlies opened as the 4-point favorite on the road with the total set at 244 points. Memphis has the edge on paper, winning eight of its last nine contests against Sacramento, while the OVER is 5-1 in the last six meetings between the teams at Golden 1 Center.
Latest Betting Notes: Grizzlies
The Grizzlies were handed their second straight loss on Sunday as they fell 112-110 to the undermanned Phoenix Suns. Ja Morant (27 points) and Desmond Bane (24 points) led the way offensively once again for Memphis in a losing effort.
The consecutive setbacks follow an 11-game Memphis win streak that began just after Christmas. The Grizzlies shouldn’t be too worried, though, as they’ve been outscored by just three points combined in those two defeats.
The Grizzlies offense has been red-hot in January, scoring 125.3 points per game – up nearly eight from their season average. Morant and Bane have led the way, averaging 28.3 and 21.3 points per game respectively.
Latest Betting Notes: Kings
The Kings had their six-game win streak brought to a halt on Saturday as they lost 129-127 to the Philadelphia 76ers. Tyrese Maxey scored 32 and five others finished in double digits as the Sixers came out on top without Joel Embiid. De’Aaron Fox topped the Kings with 31 points.
Sacramento continued its high-scoring ways on Saturday but was let down by some defensive struggles. The Kings are averaging 120 points per game this season – the best mark in the NBA – and are up to 125.4 points per game in January. Fox (25.8 points per game) is leading a starting unit that’s combining for 96.5 points per contest this month.
The Keys to Victory: Grizzlies
Monday’s contest is poised to be a high-scoring affair as the Grizzlies and Kings have been two of the best offensive teams in the NBA this season and have both been even stronger this month. By that same token, though, the Kings have the seventh-worst defense in the NBA (117.1 points against per game), which means Memphis’ stars should have plenty of opportunity to run up the score.
Morant, Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. have been an electric trio over the last few weeks, combining for nearly 67 points per game. If those three are making shots, the Grizzlies will have a good chance at getting back into the win column.
The Keys to Victory: Kings
While the Kings can run and gun with the best of them, defense has been their Achilles heel and that’s come back to bite them on multiple occasions this season. The Kings have been able to outscore those defensive woes lately, but we saw them give up 129 points to the 76ers on the weekend as well as 136 points to the Los Angeles Lakers in the last loss prior to their win streak.
If Sacramento is going to beat Memphis, they’ll need to try to tighten up a bit defensively and make sure Morant doesn’t take over the game single-handedly.
