Knicks vs Grizzlies Picks and Predictions: Knicks Enter the Grindhouse

The New York Knicks have managed to win three games in a row, and take that momentum on the road as they visit the Memphis Grizzlies tonight. 

A bevy of Knicks rotation players will be sidelined for this game, leaving their supporting cast stretched thin against one of the NBA's best teams.

Find out they can pull off a cover as sizeable NBA betting underdogs with our Knicks vs. Grizzlies NBA picks and predictions for Friday, March 11. 

Knicks vs Grizzlies odds

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

Memphis opened as a 9.5-point favorite and has seen no movement as of Friday morning. The total opened at 230.5 and has been notched down to between 228.5 and 229.5.

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.

Knicks vs Grizzlies predictions

• Prediction: Memphis -9.5 (-110)
• Prediction: Under 229.5 (-110)
• Best bet: Robinson Over 2.5 blks + stls (+105)

Predictions made on 3/11/2022 at 10:50 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Knicks vs Grizzlies game info

• Location: FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN
• Date: Friday, March 11, 2022
• Tip-off: 8:00 p.m. ET
• TV: NBATV

Knicks vs Grizzlies betting preview

Key injuries

Knicks: Derrick Rose PG (Out), Quentin Grimes SG (Out), Cam Reddish SF (Out), Nerlens Noel C (Out), Obi Toppin PF (Questionable), Kemba Walker PG (Out).
Grizzlies: Dillon Brooks SF (Doubtful).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

Grizzlies are 7-1 ATS in their last eight home games. Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Grizzlies.

Knicks vs Grizzlies picks and predictions

Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.

Spread analysis

The Grizzlies were hibernating a bit coming out of the All-Star break, alternating blowout wins with concerning losses. A double-digit defeat to the Rockets sounded the alarms, and the Grizzlies responded with a 21-point dummying of ostensibly hot New Orleans in their last outing. 

Memphis is hoping to develop some positive consistency when it hosts the Knicks tonight, who themselves have won three straight, including a 107-77 demolition of Dallas on Wednesday.

But while their current form looks impressive, the Knicks have been horribly inconsistent this season. and counting on them to have suddenly figured it out after months of struggles (and some glaring roster issues) is tough to do. Especially on the road against one of the NBA's best teams. 

Memphis profiles far differently than the last three teams New York beat on a road trip that's seen it travel for all of March thus far. The Grizzlies can score in bunches and are relentless in their attack, something the Knicks are ill-equipped to handle. While they've slowly ratcheted their defense up to a league-median rating, their offense still lags in the NBA's bottom third (23rd).

Thus, the Grizzlies won't meet a ton of resistance, and it's unlikely the Knicks will be able to counter the many blows Ja Morant & Co. are sure to deal them. Granted, Julius Randle has been playing his best ball of the season this month, but Jaren Jackson Jr. is frankly a nightmare matchup for him, both nimble enough to stay in front of his charges to the hoop, and long enough to contest anything he launches. Getting JJJ in foul trouble may be Randle's best bet for a solid outing. 

The Knicks profile as a poor matchup and lost to Memphis by 12 earlier this season despite a very poor shooting night for Morant (9-for-27). They're also on the tail end of a two-week road trip and will have fewer able bodies than they'd like for tonight's contest.

The Grizzlies continue to defy the books at 44-23 against the spread this season, and as a young upside-ridden team, it's fair to doubt that regression is imminent. Memphis had to gut-check itself after that rough post-All-Star stretch and seems to have responded well. The Grizz go for the kill when they see blood, and don't let up.

Count on them to keep asserting themselves. 

Prediction: Memphis -9.5 (-110)

Over/Under analysis

We'll be honest here, we're not huge fans of the total in this game. 

Memphis and New York are contrasting teams for Over/Under dynamics, as the Grizzlies are a potent offense that scores a ton of fast-break points and crushes the offensive glass, while the Knicks have a crappy offense and can tend to plod in the halfcourt. 

While they've found some high-scoring results recently, the Knicks are still the league's fourth-worst scoring squad on the season (105.8 ppg) and their road-weary legs might not be up for the track meet Memphis is likely to try and pressure them into.

New York's going to struggle to find comfort in the halfcourt, especially if Jackson's able to bottle up Randle. Outside of him and RJ Barrett, the Knicks just don't have enough bucket-getters, with Evan Fournier and Alec Burks being very hit-or-miss of late.

Again, this is a bet we'd rather avoid with the many things that could work in both directions. But we'd lean to the Under, given that the Knicks are thin, tired, and will do whatever they can to slow this game down.

Prediction: Under 229.5 (-110)

Best bet

Mitchell Robinson may not have evolved into the Defensive Player of the Year contender his ceiling suggested after this rookie season, but he's still a significantly above-average rim protector who can also disrupt passing lanes and strip unsuspecting drivers.

And tonight's a great opportunity for Robinson to put up a big "stocks" line against a Memphis unit that loves to pressure the rim, leading the NBA in points in the paint. Morant's going to try and dunk on Robinson at least once, emblematic of the fearlessness that generates many Grizzlies highlights, but can also lead to swats and failed mid-air-decision passes. 

To boot, with Nerlens Noel sitting, Robinson could be in line for more minutes, and he's made the most of them, registering a combined 3.7 blocks +steals in February and 3.2 thus far in March. 

Given Memphis' fast pace of play and penchant for crashing the rim, we think Robinson has plenty of opportunity to exceed his recent averages, and at a plus-money price to top 2.5, we're firing away.

Pick: Mitchell Robinson Over 2.5 blocks + steals (+105)

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