The Philadelphia 76ers (9-4) visit the Memphis Grizzlies (5-6) Saturday at the FedExForum for an 8 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we analyze the 76ers-Grizzlies NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Philadelphia won back-to-back games over a COVID-depleted Miami Heat team coming into Saturday. 76ers C Joel Embiid went off for 45 points and 16 rebounds in the first game vs. the Heat Jan. 12 but struggled in the next game, scoring just 9 points. Unfortunately for Philadelphia, Embiid—who is the 76ers’ leading scorer and rebounder—will miss at least the next two games with knee pain.
The Grizzlies hope to be getting back last season’s Rookie of the Year PG Ja Morant from a sprained ankle that forced Morant to miss seven games. Memphis was 1-3 (2-2 against the spread) in its first four without Morant but have won and covered three straight before this game.
The 76ers boat raced the Grizzlies 119-107 in their lone meeting last season, and Philadelphia is 5-2 ATS in the past seven vs. Memphis.
76ers at Grizzlies: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:25 a.m. ET.
- Money line: 76ers -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | Grizzlies +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
- Against the spread/ATS: 76ers -3.5 (-105) | Grizzlies +3.5 (-115)
- Over/Under: 218.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
76ers at Grizzlies: Key Injuries
76ers
- PG Ben Simmons (knee) probable
- C Joel Embiid (knee) out
- SG Seth Curry (COVID-19) out
- PF Mike Scott (knee) out
Grizzlies
- PG Ja Morant (ankle) questionable
- PF Jaren Jackson (knee) out
- SF Justise Winslow (hip) out
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76ers at Grizzlies: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Grizzlies 107, 76ers 101
Money line (ML)
The Grizzlies have low-key played some of the best defense in the league to start the season. Memphis ranks fifth in defensive rating, ninth in effective field-goal percentage and seventh in defensive turnover percentage.
Philadelphia’s offense isn’t very scary now that Embiid is joining Curry on the sidelines. Ben Simmons still has enough to work with to get the 76ers by, but I lean GRIZZLIES (+125) for a half-unit because I like Memphis to cover.
Against the spread (ATS)
The 76ers have been a terrible bet as a road favorite since 2019: 6-14-1 ATS with a minus-5.8-point ATS margin. Also, Memphis just does the little things better than Philadelphia; the Grizzlies average more points off of turnovers, points in the paint, fast break points and second-chance points per game than the 76ers.
Memphis even holds opponents to fewer points per game in three of those categories and the only one they don’t (opponent’s points in the paint), Philadelphia has a reduced edge in since Embiid is out.
GIMME GRIZZLIES +3.5 (-115) for 1.5 units.
Over/Under (O/U)
PASS ON THE TOTAL. Morant’s return will help the Grizzlies’ offense in the long run, but let’s wait and see before we start betting on that. Second, both these teams like to get out in transition – so that could equal easy points either way. Finally, Philadelphia’s offense plus Memphis’ defense screams “Under”, but it’s rather too obvious.
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Also see:
- 3 observations: Shake Milton, others return to lead Sixers past Heat (Sixers Wire)
- Hoops Hype Rumors: 76ers | Grizzlies
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