Clippers vs Grizzlies Picks and Predictions: New-Look Clips No Match for Memphis

The Los Angeles Clippers, fresh off a trade for Norman Powell and Robert Covington, are looking to make a concerted run in the playoffs even amidst the absences of star players Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. Tonight, they face off against the emerging Memphis Grizzlies, who are 18-4 since Christmas on the backs of Ja Morant and the rising star Jaren Jackson Jr. Can the new additions of Powell and Covington spark something new in the Clippers, or will the Grizzlies continue on their stretch of elevated play?

Continue reading for more free NBA betting picks and predictions for Clippers vs. Grizzlies on Tuesday, February 8th.

Clippers vs Grizzlies odds

This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.

The spread opened with the Grizzlies as 7-point favorites and have since moved up to -8. The total opened at 228 and has since moved to 227.

Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until tip-off and be sure to check out the full NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.

Clippers vs Grizzlies predictions

• Prediction: Grizzlies -8 (-110)
• Prediction: Under 227 (-110)
• Best bet: Grizzlies -8 (-110)

Predictions made on 2/8/2022 at 1:40 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Clippers vs Grizzlies game info

• Location: FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN
• Date: Tuesday, February 8, 2022
• Tip-off: 8:00 p.m. ET
• TV: BSSE-MEM, BSSC

Clippers vs Grizzlies betting preview

Key injuries

Clippers: Paul George F (Out), Kawhi Leonard F (Out).
Grizzlies: Dillon Brooks F (Out), Santi Aldama F (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

The Clippers have seen a total of 227 or higher just four times this year, playing 3-1 to the Under. The Grizzlies have played 5-2 to the Under on similar totals in their last seven. Find more NBA betting trends for Clippers vs. Grizzlies.

Clippers vs Grizzlies picks and predictions

Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.

Spread analysis

While the Memphis Grizzlies have sustained an 18-4 record since Christmas (which began with an 11-game win streak), the Los Angeles Clippers have been very tightly floating around .500. During the same timeframe, the Clippers have never once risen above or dipped below two games of that mark. The front office, entirely aware of the fruitlessness of being a bottom-of-the-barrel playoff team, went and acquired Normal Powell (18.9 ppg, 40.9 3P%) and Robert Covington (7.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg) over the weekend to help bolster a roster dealing with absences of both Paul George and Kawhi Leonard.

Given that Powell signed his five-year extension this past offseason, he will serve as an excellent long-term fit for the roster given his ability to score at all three levels while also having the ability to play off of the ball. Covington, a former All-Defensive player, makes a potential defensive trio with Kawhi and George one of the best in the league once everyone is healthy. And although Powell's and Covington's first appearances on Sunday didn't help the Clippers secure a win, Powell did put up 28 points in just 23 minutes and Covington added on 13 as well.

Tonight's test against the Memphis Grizzlies is not much easier, a team that largely found itself due to Ja Morant's absence. The Grizzlies were 9-10 prior to his injury, went 10-2 during his absence, and have gone 18-6 since his return. To be abundantly clear, the Grizzlies' newfound success isn't a suggestion that Morant wasn't a good player or a net positive for the team (he is on both accounts, very obviously). Rather, it gave the rest of the roster ample time and opportunity to figure itself out, with the prime example being Jaren Jackson Jr.

Triple J has been a frequent breakout darling the past few offseasons and it frustratingly had never materialized, largely due to extensive injuries. Jackson has played in all but one game this year, giving him time to truly find a rhythm and his place on the team. To start the year, JJJ was frequently finding himself (like in the past) on the perimeter and less in the paint. As an impressively athletic 6-foot-11, 242-pound center with ball-handling chops, that always seemed like wasted potential. During Morant's absence, Jackson saw an increased scoring burden and surely through the guidance of Coach of the Year front runner Taylor Jenkins, Jackson developed more interior presence on both ends of the floor.

Jackson isn't the only one to benefit from the opportunity, as the team as a whole has truly transformed - especially defensively. Prior to Ja's absence beginning on November 28th, the Grizzlies ranked 26th in net rating and dead last in defensive rating. Since then, the Grizzlies rank first in both. Their offense was already a respectable 12th prior, but they've since improved to eighth as well. And that difference has paid off handsomely for bettors: the Grizzlies were 9-10 against the spread prior to that shift and are 26-10 since, and Memphis now owns the best record ATS in the league.

On top of their reformed defense, the Grizzlies have achieved a lot of their success by creating more offensive chances and by pushing the tempo of those looks. Given that they rank seventh in pace while ranking first in steals (10.1), fourth in forcing turnovers (15.3 per game), and a respectable ninth in defensive rebounding, they produce the second-highest amount of transition possessions per game (their 21.6 trails only the Hornets). To add to that, they also create second-chance opportunities through offensive rebounds, ranking first with 13.6 per game.

Given that we just saw the Clippers surrender 137 points in a 26-point loss to the Bucks, who rank sixth in pace and third in transition possessions, it'd be difficult to make the case for the Clippers — with or without the new additions of Powell and Covington.

Prediction: Grizzlies -8 (-110)

Over/Under analysis

While the Grizzlies are bringing in a stout defense, the Clippers should be given some respect as well. Their defensive rating of 108.1 is the seventh-best in the league and ranks one spot ahead of the Grizzlies for the season. They bring a disciplined approach that guards the two most efficient shots in basketball: at the perimeter, where they allow the third-lowest three-point percentage (33.6%), and at the rim, allowing the third-lowest field goal percentage on shots <6 feet from the hoop (59.6%). That discipline extends to not sending opposing teams to the line, allowing teams just 19.1 attempts per game (fourth-fewest in the NBA).

To make matters easier, the total being set at 227 provides a somewhat unprecedented cushion for both teams. The Clippers have seen a total of 227 or higher just four times this season and just twice since November, and they've gone 3-1 to the Under in those contests. The Grizzlies have seen them a bit more frequently, but have played 5-2 to the Under in the last seven instances. The Grizzlies have defended well at FedEx Forum, not allowing a visitor to score more than 110 since (coincidentally) Ja's absence.

Prediction: Under 227 (-110)

Best bet

Tuesday night's battle between the Clippers and Grizzlies has all the makings of intrigue. Powell and Covington showed they can and will play significant roles in this hopeful Clippers roster. The Grizzlies have been one of the best teams over the past few months and are looking to build their resume as a legitimate threat to win the West.

As it currently stands, Memphis' roster is far more cohesive and proven, and has repeatedly shown it can dispose of teams better than the Clippers. Tyronn Lue is a hell of a coach (and certainly a better one than he gets credits for), and there is no doubt he will find a way to shape and will this roster into a problematic opponent for whoever awaits them in the Western playoffs. But that process will take time and tonight's dance with the Grizzlies will be a learning opportunity they'll have to use in the future.

Pick: Grizzlies -8 (-110)

Pages related to this topic