Grizzlies vs Pelicans

Ja Morant may be out with a calf strain, but Memphis still brings the steadier profile into New Orleans as a -136 moneyline favorite, with a 6-12 record and just a one-game skid against a Pelicans team that is 3-15 overall and only recently snapped a nine-game losing streak behind Zion Williamson’s 29-point, hyper-efficient outing versus Chicago. With the Grizzlies already having beaten the Pelicans 128-122 earlier this month, and still able to lean on Jaren Jackson Jr., Santi Aldama and Jock Landale against a New Orleans roster missing multiple rotation pieces in Jordan Poole, Herbert Jones and Dejounte Murray, Zion’s strong 27-9-5 line in his lone meeting with Memphis this season feels more like a “keep it close” weapon than a true edge. Given Memphis’ slightly healthier depth chart, marginally better form and the Pelicans’ cluster injuries on the perimeter, I’m willing to eat the juice and back the Grizzlies on the moneyline, but only for a B- grade due to the road spot and Memphis’ own injury risks. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 26/11/2025 09:51am

Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III headline a Pelicans offense that just hung 143 points on the Bulls and is getting over 20 points per night from Murphy, while their defense has bled 120-plus in four of the last five and now loses key stopper Herb Jones on the wing. Memphis, even without Morant, is averaging around 112 points per game and already played a 128-122 shootout with New Orleans, and this matchup again features shallow, injury-thinned guard rotations on both sides plus Zion’s 27 points on 47.6% shooting in his earlier clash with the Grizzlies to keep the Pelicans’ scoring floor high. With Poole, Murray and Jones all sidelined for New Orleans, the Pelicans’ on-ball defense and transition floor balance figure to suffer even more, and I’ll grade Over 235 at -112 as a B- play, banking on pace and defensive lapses but acknowledging some downside if Memphis’ short-handed offense stalls. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 26/11/2025 09:51am

Memphis’ frontcourt of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jock Landale should be able to pressure a Pelicans interior that’s relying heavily on Derik Queen and Zion Williamson, and the Grizzlies already handled New Orleans by six points in their first meeting despite uneven guard play. The Pelicans’ recent win behind Zion’s 29 points and Trey Murphy’s 20.2 scoring average shows they can spike high at home, but with Poole, Jones and Murray unavailable and New Orleans still leaning on inexperienced ball-handlers like Jeremiah Fears and Jose Alvarado for heavy minutes, their late-game execution is far shakier than Memphis’ veteran-driven attack. Given the Grizzlies’ slightly better form, healthier core and previous head-to-head cover, I’ll lay the -2.5 at -112, but only at a C+ grade because Zion’s efficiency at Smoothie King Center and Memphis’ own lengthy injury list leave plenty of room for a tight one-possession finish. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 26/11/2025 09:51am