Grizzlies vs Bulls Picks and Predictions: Memphis Proves It's a Beast to the East

With their star banged up, the Grizzlies face a stiff test on the road in Chicago, even as the Bulls remain shorthanded in their backcourt. Chicago cannot wait for Alex Caruso and Lonzo Ball to return; every game matters as the Bulls sit tied atop the Eastern Conference.

Here are our free NBA picks and predictions for the Grizzlies at the Bulls on February 26, with tip set for 8:00 ET.

Grizzlies vs Bulls odds

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

The Grizzlies spent some of Friday evening as 1-point underdogs. As the weekend began, this line toed pick’em status, before jumping the fence entirely to favor Memphis by 2.0. The total rose from a 236.5 opener to a Saturday afternoon 238.0.

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.

Grizzlies vs Bulls predictions

• Prediction: Grizzlies -1.5 (-110)
• Prediction: Under 238.5 (-110)
• Best bet: Ja Morant Over 7.5 assists (+119)

Predictions made on 2/26/2022 at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Grizzlies vs Bulls game info

• Location: United Center, Chicago, IL
• Date: Saturday, February 26, 2022
• Tip-off: 8:00 p.m. ET
• TV: NBCS-Chicago, Bally Sports North

Grizzlies vs Bulls betting preview

Key injuries

Grizzlies: Ja Morant PG (Questionable), Yves Pons SG (Out), Dillon Brooks SG (Out).
Bulls: Patrick Williams SF (Out), Lonzo Ball PG (Out), Alex Caruso SG (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

The Grizzlies covered the spread in six straight games just before the All-Star break, a streak that ended in their final game before the week of rest. Find more NBA betting trends for Grizzlies vs. Bulls.

Grizzlies vs Bulls 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

This is a gambling website, not a geography one, but it does not take a long look at a map to think, Oh, if only Memphis was on the other side of Tennessee. The Grizzlies’ home is further west than Milwaukee or Chicago, but hardly, and if Memphis was on the eastern side of Tennessee, it would probably be in the Eastern Conference. And there, the Grizzlies would be alone atop the standings instead of in third in the West.

The point being, Memphis is better than its two-game losing streak has some worrying about. The Grizzlies’ point differential of +4.7 is double the Bulls’. Since Jan. 1, Memphis has the No. 6 defensive rating in the league, per statmuse.com, while Chicago is down at No. 25. Neither is enjoying a humming offense — Nos. 26 and 25, respectively, since Jan. 1 — so the Bulls’ one slim advantage in this matchup is hardly one of note.

Simply put, Memphis is better than Chicago, and that would be more clear if not for a few pesky degrees of western longitude.

Prediction: Grizzlies -1.5 (-110)

Over/Under analysis

A pregame total of 238.5 is one of the highest in the NBA this season, tied for the eighth-highest, to be exact. Each of these teams’ last game ranks above it, both having totals of 240.5 on Thursday.

Each fell short of that lofty number. The Bulls win against the Hawks, in fact, fell 20.5 points short.

NBA totals are spiking again, around a few teams in particular. Both the Grizzlies and the Bulls like to run; the logic is understandable. But betting an Over of 238.5 in a close game is essentially betting on BOTH teams to reach 120. If one team comes out slow, if one team has a bad quarter, if one team opens up a lead and the game finds cruise control, then that Over becomes unattainable.

Until further notice, this handicapper will be skeptical of any Over higher than 238, including tonight’s.

Prediction: Under 238.5 (-110)

Best bet

Morant’s fall in Minnesota on Thursday was an ugly one. He limped along the sidelines for a good while before reentering the game, a return that brought sighs of relief even from Timberwolves fans. He is too enjoyable a talent to want to see any injury befall him.

And anyone who has ever watched Morant knows, his falls inspire injury concerns often.

Perhaps tonight, for just one game, he eases up. The Grizzlies do have weapons around him, and they are finding a cohesive identity that should worry the Suns and Warriors this spring. Since January 1, Desmond Bane is averaging 18.8 points and Jaren Jackson Jr. is averaging 17.5. Brandon Clarke and Ziaire Williams are also both in double digits.

Hence, Morant is averaging 7.0 assists per game, notching more than that in 10 of the 22 games since the calendar turned to 2022. The default bet here is Over 6.5 assists, but that includes a -124 price. Adding one assist while gaining 43 cents is a much more palatable proposition.

If Morant pulls up on just one additional drive because of a sore hip, this could suddenly be quite profitable. Long-term, doing so will actually result in more highlights, because he will remain healthier longer. Short-term, we’re just trying to make a little money tonight.

Pick: Ja Morant Over 7.5 assists (+119)

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