The Memphis Grizzlies, currently standing at 15-16, are set to face the struggling Washington Wizards, who hold a record of 6-23, this Sunday at 6 p.m. ET in the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. This matchup comes as the Grizzlies look to build on their recent success, having defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 125-104 on Friday. Jaren Jackson Jr. led the charge with an impressive 24 points and 9 rebounds, supported by strong performances from Cam Spencer and Ja Morant, who contributed 19 points and 17 points with 10 assists, respectively. Memphis’ defense was notable, forcing 22 turnovers during the game.
On the other side, the Wizards also had a triumphant outing, overpowering the Toronto Raptors 138-117 on Friday. They covered as an 8-point underdog, with a standout performance from Kyshawn George, who scored a team-high 23 points. Washington’s dominance on the boards was evident, as they out-rebounded the Raptors 46-33 and outscored them in the paint 62-44.
The two teams recently met on December 20, where the Wizards claimed victory with a score of 130-122, covering as 12.5-point home underdogs. Both Kyshawn George and CJ McCollum excelled during that game, each scoring 28 points. Santi Aldama emerged as a force for Memphis with 37 points.
Looking ahead to Sunday, BetMGM Sportsbook has established the Grizzlies as -285 favorites on the moneyline, meaning a wager of $285 would yield $100 in profit. The spread is set at 7.5 points in favor of the Grizzlies. The over/under for total points in the game is listed at 240.5.
In terms of injuries, the Grizzlies will be without Zach Edey and Ty Jerome, while Jock Landale is questionable. The Wizards may also face challenges with key players like Malaki Branham, Kyshawn George, and Corey Kispert dealing with injuries, further complicating their line-up.
Predictions lean toward a Grizzlies victory, with a score forecasted at 122-120, though some analysts suggest a cautious approach given Memphis’s inconsistent offense. Despite being favored, the recommendation is to consider betting on the Wizards to cover the spread, as they have been competitive recently, covering in five of their last seven games. Additionally, the over bet appears appealing, as both teams have shown a propensity for high scoring in recent outings.
With the Wizards improving in competitive outings, fans can expect an engaging match-up as both teams look to position themselves for a better standing in the league.