We have a good Western Conference matchup on the docket when the 19-11 Memphis Grizzlies meet the 19-13 Phoenix Suns tonight.
Memphis is looking to shake a two-game losing streak, while the Suns look to get right after the Wizards snapped their modest three-game winning run on Wednesday.
Who will win this battle between the Western Conference heavyweights? Find out in our free Memphis Grizzlies vs. Phoenix Suns NBA picks and predictions for Friday, December 23.
Grizzlies vs Suns best odds
Grizzlies vs Suns picks and predictions
The road trip hasn’t begun well for the Grizzlies, dropping two straight. They haven’t looked very efficient but have a terrific bounce-back opportunity against the injury-riddled Suns.
Memphis is eighth in scoring, and everything begins and ends with All-Star PG Ja Morant, who leads the team in scoring and assists. Morant scored 35 points and added 10 dimes in their Tuesday night loss to Denver and is shooting 34% from downtown.
Morant has plenty of help. Dillon Brooks is the Grizzlies third-leading scorer and a solid nucleus for Memphis to draw from along with center Steven Adams and Jaren Jackson Jr. as long as second-leading scorer Desmond Bane remains sidelined.
Phoenix has some injury concerns and All-Star guard Devin Booker is set to miss his third consecutive contest with a groin injury and backup PG Cameron Payne is also out.
The Suns do have plenty of talent. Deandre Ayton becomes the de facto leading scorer without Booker, with Chris Paul and Mikal Bridges to help pick up the slack for the sixth-best scoring team in the NBA.
Still, losing Booker and Payne hurt Phoenix against Washinton, and will do so again against Memphis.
Morant has to be the guy —he shot under 45% in three of his last five — and I believe he’s going off Friday. Memphis is the best rebounding team in the game with a distinct edge on both ends. Phoenix struggled against a poor Washington defense, and Memphis will give the Suns all they can handle.
Paul laid a stinker against Washington while playing 35 minutes, and without a backup, he’ll need to play at least 35 minutes in what will be a pace-up game. That’s less than ideal, and I expect Memphis to cover the number.
My best bet: Grizzlies -2 (-105 at Pinnacle)
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Grizzlies vs Suns spread analysis
The Grizzlies average five more rebounds per game than Phoenix and the Suns are going to miss roughly seven without Booker and Payne. That’s a huge edge for Memphis and one I don’t want to miss out on.
Phoenix has the best assist-to-turnover ratio in the game (2.4), but Memphis isn’t far behind (1.70), and we don’t give up too much in this important category.
Deandre Ayton has scored 21 or more with a double-double in four of his last five, but he has a fight on his hands against Adams and Brandon Clarke. Both Adams and Clarke have defensive ratings below the 110.6 league average, and I don’t believe Phoenix can win without an Ayton monster.
The Memphis bench has a slight edge that becomes more dramatic without Pagne in the lineup in what will be a pace-up tilt for Phoenix.
Memphis is 6-9 on the road but the Grizzlies haven’t lost three consecutive games yet this season, have a distinct edge on the glass, and should win this game.
Grizzlies vs Suns Over/Under analysis
The total has dipped to around 224 from its original number of 226.5.
While this will be a pace-up game for the Suns, the Grizzlies will likely lose a few possessions playing at a slower pace than usual. That could mean fewer turnovers for the 13th-ranked Grizzlies but it will affect their total.
Both teams are in the Top 10 in points allowed — Memphis allows the ninth-fewest points in the league (111) while Phoenix allows the seventh (110).
We won’t see terrific shooting Friday — Phoenix is 14th in true shooting percentage and Memphis is 24th. Phoenix is the much better 3-point shooting side but is missing two of its better shooters (three if Cameron Johnson doesn’t dress).
The Over is 15-15 this season for Memphis and the 15-17 for Phoenix.
Grizzlies vs Suns betting trend to know
The Grizzlies are 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings in Phoenix. Find more NBA betting trends for Grizzlies vs. Suns.
Grizzlies vs Suns game info
| Location: | Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ |
| Date: | Friday, December 23, 2022 |
| Tip-off: | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN |
