Grizzlies vs. Wizards Pick
Is the return of John Wall from injury going to boost the host Washington Wizards to a win over the Memphis Grizzlies tonight at 7PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Wizards are a 7.5-point favorite on the spread line. The over-under is set at 201 points.
Memphis enters with an 8-19 record and 9-17-1 ATS after a 107-82 home loss versus the Heat, its fourth straight defeat. Washington is 14-13 overall and 14-13 ATS following a 103-98 loss at the Nets Tuesday night. The two meetings last season were split 1-1 straight up and 1-1 ATS. The over-under also went 1-1.
The Grizzlies were paced by Marc Gasol with 19 points, six rebounds and two assists in the loss to Miami. Andrew Harrison tallied 16 points, four assists and two steals. Tyreke Evans added 11 points, three assists and two rebounds. Memphis was outscored 62-40 in the second half.
In the loss to Brooklyn, Bradley Beal accounted for 28 points and four assists. He also had two rebounds and two steals. Kelly Oubre Jr. had 12 points and nine rebounds off the bench. Otto Porter Jr. added 11 points, five rebounds and three assists. Washington was outscored 52-47 in the second half.
Memphis is 1-5 ATS in the last six meetings in Washington. The under is 4-0 in the last four Washington games following a straight up loss.
Trust in Wall. The Wizards certainly do. Although its a back-to-back with some travel, expect Washington to be re-energized with its leader back on the floor. Even if he has a minutes restriction, it should allow the Wizards enough time to establish control against a team going through the motions.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: WASHINGTON WIZARDS -7.5