Grizzlies vs Hornets

With the Memphis Grizzlies riding a two-game win streak and clinging to playoff seeding in a loaded Western Conference, don’t expect them to take their foot off the gas against the slumping Charlotte Hornets. The Buzz City bunch has dropped three straight, and with key pieces like LaMelo Ball and Mark Williams sidelined, there’s little reason to believe they’ll rise to the occasion. Meanwhile, Jaren Jackson Jr. continues to elevate the Grizzlies' interior defense while Desmond Bane has historically lit up Charlotte's weak perimeter containment, averaging over 23 points per game in his last three matchups against them. With Memphis bolstering a late-season surge and the Hornets already eliminated from playoff contention, the talent gap is glaring. But at -1000, the odds offer low value despite the high confidence in a Grizzlies victory. It's a safe pick, but with limited financial upside, this bet earns a Grade C for bettors looking for a worthwhile payout. Odds and availability are subject to change.

Ja Morant and the playoff-chasing Memphis Grizzlies roll into Charlotte ready to pour on the offense against a struggling Hornets squad that's dropped three straight and sits at 19-59. With the Buzz City boys anchored to the bottom of the standings and playing without LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Mark Williams (back), their defensive backbone has remained brittle. Meanwhile, the Bears of Beale Street, now 46-32, have won two straight and are dialing up offensive urgency, especially with Desmond Bane heating up after returning from injury. Morant, who remains sidelined for the season, won't be suiting up, but his past performances—averaging nearly 27 points in his last five games against Charlotte—still loom large. With the Queen City’s bench thinning and little to play for, expect little resistance in transition or the paint. Memphis continues to hunt seeding and is likely to press tempo. The over gets a B+ grade due to the Grizzlies’ postseason push, Charlotte’s depleted depth, and both teams' tendency to allow points in bunches down the stretch. Odds and availability are subject to change.

The Beale Street Bears are dialed in with just four games left in their regular season, riding a two-game winning streak and gunning to lock in playoff positioning in the loaded Western Conference. Conversely, the struggling Hornets limp into this one on a three-game losing skid, continuing to shuffle lineups and missing key starters like LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Mark Williams (back). Rookie Brandon Miller is not currently listed on the injured report, and Terry Rozier has been out since January, making the offensive load fall largely on Miles Bridges and a shallow supporting cast. Charlotte’s inability to generate consistent offense without its primary playmakers leaves a massive burden on players who’ve struggled against the athleticism of Memphis' perimeter defense. Ja Morant, however, is out for the season and cannot be the engine behind this surge, so any recent statistical surge attributed to him is inaccurate. Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. remain the focal points, with Bane finding rhythm again from beyond the arc and Jackson anchoring the interior. While the 13.5-point spread is steep, Memphis has performed well against underperforming teams, covering in six of their last seven matchups against sub-.500 squads. Given the teams’ trajectories and the Grizzlies' seeding motivation, this pick still offers moderate confidence and fair value. Odds and availability are subject to change.