The uber-confident Memphis Grizzlies are riding a nine-game win streak and will host a depleted Phoenix Suns team this evening — and they’ve shown they love a national TV audience.
Memphis cruised past the Indiana Pacers on Saturday, led by 23 points, 10 assists, and a dunk-of-the-year contender from Ja Morant. With Devin Booker and Chris Paul out, Phoenix is treading water and continued its miserable start to 2023 with a 121-116 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.
Read on for our free Suns vs. Grizzlies NBA betting picks and predictions ahead of what looks like a lopsided matchup.
Suns vs Grizzlies best odds
Suns vs Grizzlies picks and predictions
Ja Morant’s transcendent performances are the biggest reason the Grizzlies are a must-watch team these days, but Desmond Bane’s ever-improving, sweet-shooting play is high on the list. Bane is averaging 21 points and four assists this year in his third NBA season, solidifying himself as a key part of the Memphis core.
On Saturday, he was a difference maker against the Pacers, scoring 25 points and hitting five of his 11 triples. This could be another nice matchup for him, especially if the Suns shift Mikal Bridges over to guard Morant at the point of attack.
Bane’s minutes as part of the Grizzlies’ bench-heavy units should be productive too, with the Phoenix rotation looking shaky without its two stars and Cam Johnson. The Suns had no answer for Anthony Edwards (31 points) on Saturday, and Bane can have similar success as a shooter and attacking the rim off the dribble.
A toe injury has hampered him this season but he looked sharp last week, both in Indiana and in the second of two wins over the San Antonio Spurs. His minutes have crept back up from the mid 20s to around 30 and he’s getting good looks from beyond the arc (42% this season).
Of course, there’s blowout potential tonight which could cut down minutes for Bane and the other Memphis starters, but I still expect him to get up enough shots through the first three quarters to cash in this prop.
My best bet: Desmond Bane Over 20.5 points (-110)
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Suns vs Grizzlies spread analysis
The Grizzlies enter as 10.5-point favorites tonight and that line probably undersells the talent gap here. I can only think that Morant’s questionable status has knocked off a few points, as Memphis is rolling right now in the race for the No. 1 seed in the West.
While the hosts’ latest hot streak has largely come against league basement dwellers like the Spurs, Charlotte Hornets, and Orlando Magic, Taylor Jenkins is getting big contributions up and down the roster.
Even if Morant sits out (unlikely given the big national audience tonight), the Grizzlies can cover this spread with Tyus Jones running the offense. Neither Morant nor Bane had good shooting nights (a combined 8-for-27) in the teams’ December 23 showdown, and Memphis still won by 25 points.
The outlook is grim for the Suns, with their solid 19-12 start now a distant memory. They’ve gone 2-11 since then and everything is a grind offensively without Booker’s shotmaking, though Deandre Ayton’s return from an ankle sprain is a boost. Phoenix is 1-4 ATS in its last five games when coming off an ATS win.
Suns vs Grizzlies Over/Under analysis
The Grizzlies have been nailing the Over while dominating overmatched opponents this month, and tonight should be more of the same against a Suns team relying on Bridges, Deandre Ayton, and Damion Lee to deliver most of the offensive punch.
The Over has hit in Memphis’ last six games and the Grizzlies have reached the 130-point mark in its past two contests. Assuming Morant plays here, that number will be in play again.
The only hesitation comes from whether the Suns can score enough points, but Lee got hot from deep against the Timberwolves on the way to 31 points, and Phoenix might also have Landry Shamet back as another outside threat.
Suns vs Grizzlies betting trend to know
Despite missing key scorers this season, the Suns have trended towards the Over against top-tier opponents. The Over is 8-2 in Phoenix’s last 10 road games against teams with a home winning record greater than .600. Find more NBA betting trends for Suns vs. Grizzlies.
Suns vs Grizzlies game info
| Location: | FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN |
| Date: | Monday, January 16, 2023 |
| Tip-off: | 6:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TNT |
