Nets vs Grizzlies Picks and Predictions: KD + Kyrie - Ja = Too Much for Memphis

If the Brooklyn Nets are going to escape the play-in round, the time to make their move is now. 

Three games back of the East's No. 6 seed with 10 left to play, the Nets should be supremely motivated to ensure their playoff berth is locked up — standing in their way tonight are the Memphis Grizzlies.

Find out if BK can make up ground with our Nets vs. Grizzlies NBA picks and predictions for Wednesday, March 23.

Nets vs Grizzlies odds

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

Brooklyn opened as a -2.5 favorite at most books, sitting -1.5 as of Wednesday morning. The total opened all over the place in the low-to-mid 230s and has been bet up to 238.5 in most spots.

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.

Nets vs Grizzlies predictions

• Prediction: Nets -1.5 (-110)
• Prediction: Over 238.5 (-110)
• Best bet: Irving Over 26.5 points (-104)

Predictions made on 3/23/2022 at 9:50 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Nets vs Grizzlies game info

• Location: FedExForum, Memphis, TN
• Date: Wednesday, March 23, 2022
• Tip-off: 7:30 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN

Nets vs Grizzlies betting preview

Key injuries

Nets: Ben Simmons PG (Out), Joe Harris SF (Out), LaMarcus Aldridge C (Out), Seth Curry SG (Questionable), Gordan Dragic PG (Doubtful).
Grizzlies: Ja Morant PG (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

Nets are 7-1-1 ATS in their last nine road games. Find more NBA betting trends for Nets vs. Grizzlies.

Nets 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

This matchup is a fulcrum for the Nets' season. 

Currently eighth in the East after a season driven off the rails by every conceivable negative variable, Brooklyn can still edge out Toronto and Cleveland for the No. 6 seed. But with Kyrie Irving sitting for seven of its last 10 games, there will be a ton of onus on Kevin Durant. 

Fortunately, Durant's still arguably the very best player on the planet, and he'll have Irving in tow tonight against a Memphis squad that's without its own fringe MVP candidate in Ja Morant. And while the Grizzlies are the NBA's best team against the spread this season, they've been maddeningly inconsistent of late. 

Memphis is just 5-5 ATS in its last 10 and hasn't covered in back-to-back games this month. While the books have definitely adjusted a bit, there's something greater afoot with a team that blows out Indiana by 33, then loses to the Hawks (without their two best players) by 15 the next time out.

The Grizzlies' win over the Knicks was a microcosm of their current state. They let New York (of all teams) drop 40 on them in a third quarter where they suffered every defensive lapse in the book, only to realize "this is the Knicks, wake up" and storm back from down 15 to win.

Only tonight, the man who sparked that comeback will be on the sidelines. And instead of Julius Randle and RJ Barrett to contend with (no disrespect to either of them), it's a motivated Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on the other end. 

You may be forgetting since he hardly ever actually plays, but Irving has been going absolutely bananas lately, with 30+ points in four of his last six, including games of both 50 and 60 on better than 64% shooting. His appearances may be few, but Irving is damn sure making them count.

Obviously, Memphis is a stronger defensive squad than the Charlotte and Orlando teams that surrendered those Irving romps, but Durant's equally flammable, and Dillon Brooks can't guard both of them. KD could easily get Jaren Jackson Jr. in foul trouble, and Memphis generally gives into firefights against gunning teams like the Nets, losing its grip on D.

After sucking ATS for most of this season, Brooklyn's quietly covered in five of its last seven games, going 6-1 SU over that stretch. With both superstars in action tonight, look for the Nets to pounce on a Grizzlies team without its superstar. 

Prediction: Nets -1.5 (-110)

Over/Under analysis

This game's likely going to be a shootout.

Irving's presence almost ensures that, as he's been too en fuego over the last little bit for a player of his skill and ego to not come out gunning. Furthermore, the Grizzlies, as mentioned above, are keen enablers for track meets: a young team with plenty of fast legs that loves forcing turnovers and pushing the tempo. 

Even if the Grizzlies key in on D, Brooklyn just has too much instant offense in the halfcourt with Durant and Irving operating in tandem. Yes, Memphis will be slightly less automatic in its halfcourt sets with Morant out, but the Grizz have averaged 128.5 ppg in their last two Ja-less contests (granted, against Indiana and Houston, but let's not act like Brooklyn's some defensive juggernaut).

These two squads are averaging a combined 240.7 ppg over their past 10, and should only push each other's hands with the total tonight. Unless one of them goes uncharacteristically ice cold, we could see both get into the 120s. 

Prediction: Over 238.5 (-110)

Best bet

Kyrie is cooking right now. 

While the Celtics' (NBA-best) defense held him to just 19 points, he also just unloaded 38 on Jrue Holiday and the Bucks, not to mention 50 on the Hornets and 60 on the Magic, all within his last five games.

While great defender Dillon Brooks figures to draw Irving tonight, Jesus Christ himself might not be able to stop Kyrie from getting 27 points in a game that profiles to play fast and loose like tonight's will.

We have one of the best players in an unconscious groove — back him to deliver in a spot where he can make good on his commitment to this team. 

Pick: Kyrie Irving Over 26.5 points (-104)

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