It hasn’t been a merry December for the Memphis Grizzlies, as they’re just 4-4 in eight games thus far this month. But at least the Grizzlies avoided a three-game skid when it took down the Washington Wizards on Monday. The Grizzlies look to build on that win, as they clash with the hot-charging Chicago Bulls, who’ve won all of their last three games.
Read on for a breakdown of this matchup. Looking for more? Click here for a preview of Cavs vs. Celtics.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Memphis Grizzlies vs. Chicago Bulls Betting Preview
Where: United Center, Chicago
When: Wednesday, December 16, 2015, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Memphis Grizzlies (+3.5) at Chicago Bulls (-3.5); total: 195.0 – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Memphis Grizzlies (14-12)
[sc:NBA240banner ]Matt Barnes is a perfect fit for any team. Wherever Barnes plays, he’s always found a way to be a useful player on both sides of the floor. In Memphis’ 112-95 win over the Wizards on Monday, Barnes was at it again, as the veteran forward scored 20 points, grabbed six rebounds, and added two steals and a block.
Barnes has been playing so well of late—13.0 points and 9.3 rebounds in the past five games—that the Grizzlies have made him a starter instead of Zach Randolph. That may not be the case later tonight, though, as Memphis sure would need Randolph’s heft in battling Chicago’s big men down low. Randolph had an underwhelming performance against Washington, scoring just eight points and grabbing four rebounds, but he’s still the team’s leader in rebounding with 8.5 per game, while producing 13.7 PPG. Randolph will team up with frontcourt partner Marc Gasol, who paces the Grizzlies in scoring with 16.4 PPG.
With Barnes and Jeff Green taking on opposing perimeter players and Randolph and Gasol teaming up inside on defense, the Grizzlies are well equipped to limit Chicago’s offense. Memphis is second in the league in interior defense with opponents scoring just 38.0 points in the paint per game.
Green (10.8 PPG) has been a picture of inconsistency this season, as he’s capable of exploding for 20 or more points one night and fail to score at least 10 points in other games. That said, Green has now scored at least 15 points in back-to-back games.
Memphis is 3-0 SU and ATS in its last four games in Chicago.
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Betting on the Chicago Bulls (14-8)
The Bulls got a nice warm up on Monday, when they handily beat Philadelphia, 115-96. Tonight’s game, however, is no gimme, as Chicago faces a struggling but still deadly Memphis team at home.
Against the Sixers, Jimmy Butler had it easy finding the basket, as he led the Bulls with 23 points on an efficient 8-for-14 shooting. Tony Snell, meanwhile, had 16 points, a surprising output from the forward, who is averaging just 5.4 points per game this season. It’s unlikely that Snell would be as effective against Memphis, so it’s important for Derrick Rose to recover from a six-point night in the Sixers game.
Rose is third on the team in scoring behind Butler (20.6 points per game) and Pau Gasol (15.4 PPG) with 13.2 PPG, but scored only 15 points over the last two games.
Rose will get lots of touches nevertheless, especially with the Bulls getting tons of possessions thanks to their elite rebounding. Gasol (10.8 RPG) Joakim Noah (8.6 RPG), and versatile forward Nikola Mirotic (6.6 RPG) are doing terrific work beneath the glass, thus the Bulls are averaging a league-best 48.7 RPG.
The Bulls’ solid rebounding is also translating for better defense for the team. The Bulls are sixth in the league with 97.5 points allowed per contest while holding their opponents to only 41% shooting—the lowest in the NBA.
Chicago is 3-0 SU and 2-1 ATS in its last three home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Memphis wins, 103-99.
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