The Memphis Grizzlies were already one of the best teams in the league, but they became even more dangerous when they added Jeff Green to their lineup in January. Green and the Grizzlies face quite a stylistic challenge at Sacramento on Wednesday night. They’ll have to deal with a Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins-led Kings hungry for a win.
Wednesday night is not short on heated Western Conference clashes. Check out our complete previews for the Lakers vs. Jazz and Clippers vs. Rockets to get your fair share of thrilling hoops action.
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Memphis Grizzlies vs. Sacramento Kings Preview
Where: Sleep Train Arena, Sacramento
When: Wednesday, February 25, 10:00 PM ET
Line: Memphis Grizzlies (-7) at Sacramento Kings (+7); total 199.0 – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies have enjoyed a successful stretch since Jeff Green made his Memphis debut on January 14. Since then, the Grizzlies have won 15 of their last 18 games, going 10-6-2 against the spread. Green led Memphis with 35 minutes, finishing with 16 points and six rebounds in Monday’s 90-87 road win against the Clippers.
[sc:NBA240banner ]The Grizzlies have played some much tighter defense with their new piece in play, allowing just 90.2 points per game in their last 18. With better defense, they may be able to dominate the Kings even more considering they’ve allowed Sacramento to average 97.5 points in two games this season.
With Green in play, Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol and Mike Conley may be able to top their excellent performances against Sacramento this season. Both Gasol and Randolph have averaged about 19 points in two games against the Kings, while Conley has averaged 16 points.
Conley should be licking his chops at the chance to go after the Kings’ point guard combo of Ray McCallum and Andre Miller. The Clippers’ Austin Rivers scored a career-high 28 points in just 26 minutes against the Kings, mostly due to very poor defense from McCallum and Miller.
The total has gone under in Memphis’ last six games.
George Karl’s reign as Sacramento’s head coach has begun, and the results in his first two games in charge have been mixed. The Kings beat visiting Boston 109-101 Friday with their new head coach in tow, but were blown out, 126-99, by the Clippers the following night.
DeMarcus Cousins epitomized the inconsistency. He had 31 points and 15 rebounds against the Celtics, then made just 6-of-19 shots and grabbed four rebounds the following night. If there’s a team Cousins has been consistent against, it’s the Grizzlies. He has seven 20-point games in 10 career matchups, while averaging a double-double (15.5 points and 10.3 rebounds).
Rudy Gay has also been consistent in four games against Memphis as a Sacramento King. He’s averaged 21.8 points over that span, but may struggle to find his footing facing tighter defense from Memphis’ Green. He went 4-for-19 from the field primarily matching up against Green in a New Year’s Eve 106-84 loss to the Boston Celtics.
Despite Memphis fielding some quality big men in Randolph and Gasol, the Kings hold the total rebound edge 86-65 in the series. Keeping the Grizzlies away from the boards will be crucial to get a few extra possessions and field goal attempts.
Despite losing two straight to Memphis, the Kings have kept it close in terms of points per field goal attempt. Sacramento has scored 1.32 points per field goal attempt over their two games against Memphis, compared to the Grizzlies’ 1.33.
The total has gone under in five of the last six matchups between Sacramento and Memphis.
Writer’s Prediction
The Grizzlies win, but the Kings get a few extra possessions to cover the +7 spread.
