Grizzlies Primed to Defend Home Court Against Hawks

The Memphis Grizzlies, boasting a 38-22 record, have been formidable at home this season, reflecting their strong overall performance. Key players like Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. have been instrumental in their success, with Jackson Jr. recently delivering a 42-point game. The Atlanta Hawks, at 27-33, have struggled with consistency and are currently on a three-game losing streak. Injuries have also plagued the Hawks, with notable absences impacting their lineup. Given the Grizzlies' home-court advantage, depth, and recent performances, the moneyline favoring Memphis at -349 is a logical choice, though the low return on investment warrants a B- grade for this wager

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The Grizzlies, riding a strong season at 38-22, have been dominant at home and will look to take advantage of an inconsistent Hawks squad that has dropped three straight games. Memphis’ defense, anchored by Jaren Jackson Jr., ranks among the best in the league, and they’ve covered the spread in five of their last seven home games. Atlanta’s offense, which relies heavily on Trae Young, has struggled with efficiency on the road, and the absence of key contributors like De’Andre Hunter (knee) and Onyeka Okongwu (toe) weakens their ability to counter Memphis’ interior presence. Historically, Ja Morant has thrived against the Hawks, averaging 27 points and 8 assists in their last three meetings. With Memphis pushing for a high playoff seed and the Hawks fading from contention, backing the Grizzlies to cover the -9 spread (-108) is the best play. This wager earns a B grade, as Memphis’ defensive edge should control the pace, but Atlanta’s ability to score in bunches makes a backdoor cover a slight risk.

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The Grizzlies have thrived behind one of the league’s best defenses, holding opponents to under 110 points in four of their last six games, while the Hawks, despite their offensive firepower, have struggled on the road. Atlanta has dropped three straight games and will be without De’Andre Hunter (knee) and Onyeka Okongwu (toe), limiting their ability to stretch the floor. While Ja Morant and Trae Young are capable of explosive scoring, Memphis has historically controlled the tempo in this matchup, winning with defense and rebounding rather than getting into shootouts. With the total set at 252, a sky-high number even for these teams, the under is the best bet, earning a B+ grade based on Memphis’ defensive intensity and Atlanta’s inconsistency away from home.

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