Memphis Grizzlies vs. Dallas Mavericks Play-In Game - Best Bets & Betting Odds
All odds provided by Betway.
Grizzlies vs. Mavericks Point Spread/Moneyline Prediction
The Mavericks could take advantage of the fact that they have nothing to lose as big underdogs here, but that could also mean they come into the FedEx Forum just happy to be there. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, will be playing with a chip on their shoulder. They won nine more games than the Mavericks this year, so they really shouldn’t even be here.
Not to mention the way they lost on Tuesday was a real punch in the gut. Now that they return home, where they have the 10th-best record in the league (26-15), they should be able to bounce back. Dallas has been one of the lesser road teams this year as well.
Ja Morant’s ankle may not be 100 percent, but it didn’t seem to bother him too much on Tuesday as he finished that one with no issue in the fourth quarter. Memphis relies on a lot of scoring inside, especially from Morant. Dallas has a lot of size and they’re generally good defensively in the paint, but they still gave up 40 in there to the Kings on Wednesday.
We also don’t think Klay Thompson is still at a point where he can play at as high a level as he did in that Sacramento win in back-to-back games. He will crash back down to earth on Friday; he averaged just 9.2 points on 43 percent shooting in his previous five games.
Anthony Davis will also be held in check by two-time All-Defensive First-Teamer Jaren Jackson Jr. Desmond Bane has been on fire from deep lately too, and we like the hulking forward to keep it up. The Mavs might keep this close though, so we’ll buy a point or two down on the 6.0-point spread we’re getting from betting apps.
Best Bet: Memphis Grizzlies Alternative -3.5 Point Spread (-175)
Grizzlies vs. Mavericks Over/Under Prediction
Both of these teams have been mediocre defensively in recent weeks. They’re both allowing over 116 points per game over their last 10. The Mavericks come in having hit three straight overs, scoring 120+ in two of those three while allowing 130+ in the other. Memphis has also scored 109+ in nine of their last 10, and they’ve hit the over in three out of four.
These teams played four times in the regular season, and they went under the total three times. However, the lowest of those scores was 223, which bodes well for the over here.
Best Bet: Game Total Points Over 221.0 (-110)
Player Prop Best Bet
Zach Edey is not the best defender or post player offensively, but boy, can the big guy rebound with the best of them. He’s averaging just under 14 rebounds per 36 minutes this season. He has averaged 15.3 rebounds in the last eight games where he saw 25+ minutes (including six with 13+).
Those eight games have all come in his last nine appearances, including the last seven in a row. He’s been playing a lot of minutes, and against the lengthy Mavericks, he will do so again. Expect him to keep vacuuming in boards.
Best Bet: Zach Edey Over 12.5 Rebounds (-105)/Betway
