The Memphis Grizzlies (22-10) and Oklahoma City Thunder (25-5) face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The game will broadcast live on NBA League Pass.
The Thunder are 7-point favorites over the Grizzlies on the spread (Thunder -7), with the over/under set at 230 total points. Oklahoma City is a -245 favorite to win outright, while Memphis is +200 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Grizzlies vs. Thunder predictions and NBA picks for Sunday, December 29.
Grizzlies vs. Thunder Picks, Prediction
Spread
The Thunder are favored by seven points in Sunday's contest, which appears to be appropriately priced with Ja Morant expected to miss the game due to a shoulder injury. So, I will not be picking a side in tonight's matchup.
Moneyline
I'm staying away from the moneyline market as well.
Over/Under
My Grizzlies vs. Thunder best bet isn't exactly a total prediction either, but my top play is Isaiah Hartenstein Over 24.5 Points + Rebounds, with the best line currently available at DraftKings. But as always, make sure to shop for the best price using our live NBA odds page.
My Pick: Isaiah Hartenstein Over 24.5 Points + Rebounds (-140)
Grizzlies vs. Thunder Odds
Grizzlies Odds | ||
---|---|---|
Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+7 -110 | 230 -110 / -110 | +200 |
Thunder Odds | ||
---|---|---|
Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-7 -110 | 230 -110 / -110 | -245 |
- Grizzlies vs. Thunder spread: Thunder -7
- Grizzlies vs. Thunder over/under: 230 points
- Grizzlies vs. Thunder moneyline: Grizzlies +200, Thunder -245
- Grizzlies vs. Thunder best bet: Isaiah Hartenstein Over 24.5 Points + Rebounds
Grizzlies vs. Thunder Preview
Over the last few years, the Grizzlies and Thunder have been dubbed "teams of the future" thanks to their exciting young cores. Both teams have earned top-two seeds and advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals within the last three years. Entering tonight's matchup, the Thunder and Grizzlies currently the top two spots in the West, led by all-star guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ja Morant.
The Grizzlies have won six of the nine meetings between Morant and Gilgeous-Alexander head-to-head. However, they will have to win without Morant tonight as he is ruled out with a sprained right AC joint. Despite missing their star player, Memphis will have a rest advantage with the Thunder traveling back home on the second night of a back-to-back.
The Thunder defeated the Hornets 106-94 as Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams combined for 42 points and played 33 minutes each. As of this writing, the Thunder have not submitted an injury report, but they did play without Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace last night. If both are out again, Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams will likely see north of 32 minutes once again.
Gilgeous-Alexander had a pedestrian game by his standards yesterday as he scored just 22 points and had six turnovers. The Hornets blitzed him repeatedly with double teams in the second half. However, Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 25 points in 18 of his last 20 games. And nearly as impressive as his scoring, is his propensity for racking up steals. Gilegous-Alexander is averaging two steals per game for the second consecutive season, and he has had two steals in 15 of his last 20 games.
The Thunder lead the league in steals and turnovers forced per game. They also lead the league in defensive rating, but the unit has been by bolstered by the return of Isaiah Hartenstein. In his first 16 games with his new team, Hartenstein has recorded a double-double in 16 of them. Often playing as the lone true big man for Oklahoma City, Hartenstein will have to contend with Zach Edey and Jaren Jackson Jr. in this matchup.
Edey has a great matchup for rebounds tonight against the Thunder. However, I am leaving him out of tonight's parlay in case head coach Taylor Jenkins opts to downsize against the smaller and faster Thunder. Meanwhile, Jackson may be the team's leading scorer tonight without Morant. Jackson is averaging 21.9 points per game this season to lead the group.
Scotty Pippen Jr. will get the start at point guard in place of Morant. However, shooting guard Desmond Bane will see increased playmaking opportunities as well. Averaging 4.8 assists per game this season, Bane has upped that average to 6.1 this month.
Grizzlies vs. Thunder Prediction
The Grizzlies are 8-4 without Morant this season, and have done well covering the spread both as an underdog and on the road. Meanwhile, the Thunder have done well ATS at home and as a favorite. With that in mind, I will be targeting player props in tonight's game and am going with Hartenstein for tonight's best bet.
Averaging 12.6 points and 12.8 rebounds per game, Hartenstein is covering his points + rebounds (PR) line on average. He has recorded 25 points and rebounds in five of his last seven games, and in 10 of 16 games this season. In three of his misses, Hartenstein finished with 24 PR, so he should have a high floor.
Additionally, he finished with 31 PR in his lone game on the second night of a back-to-back this season against Miami. When Edey is in the game, Hartenstein will be closer to the basket, increasing his rebound opportunities.
Meanwhile, Jackson has scored 20 points in seven of his last nine games and is coming off a 33-point performance. He has also scored 20 points in seven of his last 10 games without Morant. A few of his baskets may be set up by Bane, who has recorded seven assists in seven of his last nine games.
Bane is also averaging 2.2 turnovers per game while the Grizzlies averaging 16.3 as a team. That will increase the chances of Gilgeous-Alexander recorded two steals yet again and hopefully cashing this parlay.
Best Bet: Isaiah Hartenstein Over 24.5 Points + Rebounds (-140, Play to -150)
Same Game Parlay Picks
- Isaiah Hartenstein Over 24.5 Points + Rebounds
- Jaren Jackson Jr. 20+ Points
- Desmond Bane Over 5.5 Assists
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 1.5 Steals
Parlay Payout: +465
Thunder vs. Grizzlies Betting Trends