Memphis Grizzlies vs. New Orleans Pelicans: NBA Betting Odds and Picks

Memphis Grizzlies vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Friday, 12/13/13, 8:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: New Orleans -4
Current Betting Line: New Orleans -3.5
Opening Total: 193.5
Current Total: 192.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Memphis Grizzlies are 7-0 SU when Zach Randolph leads or ties the team lead in scoring

Memphis has alternated wins and losses over its last three games, as it attempts to bounce back from a 116-100 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder as six-point home underdogs Wednesday, while going OVER the betting total for the first time in four contests. The Grizzlies are 5-3 SU on the road this season, including a 4-2 mark versus Western Conference opponents, which is important to consider when making your NBA betting picks Friday night. Memphis is 2-7 SUATS as underdogs this season, with the OVER going 5-4 in that situation.

The Grizzlies have played the league’s toughest schedule to date, with their opponents owning a .542 winning percentage, which can’t be ignored when looking over the pro basketball odds page. Memphis will need a huge performance from point guard Mike Conley, who is averaging a career-high 17.7 points and has scored 20-or-more points seven times already this season. The franchise is 7-0 this season when power forward Zach Randolph leads or ties the team lead in scoring.

New Orleans snapped a two-game losing streak by picking up a 111-106 overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons last time out, while going OVER the betting total for the first time in three affairs. The Pelicans are 6-5 SU at home this season, but 2-4 versus conference foes. The franchise has won consecutive games in this series and 21 of the past 32 match-ups overall. New Orleans is 4-4 SUATS as home favorites of 3.5 to 6 points since the start of the 2011-12 campaign.

The Hornets have been getting tremendous offensive production out of forward Ryan Anderson, who is averaging a career-high 21.7 points per game. New Orleans is playing at a much higher pace this season, which is far different than ranking dead last with 90.86 possessions per game during the 2012-13 campaign. The team ranks second in the league in averaging 17.7 fast break points a contest.