A horrendous third quarter crushed any hope for the Memphis Grizzlies (1-1) to start off the 2024-25 regular season with an undefeated record. However, they now get to return home and host the Orlando Magic (2-0) for an opportunity to get back over the hump in the win column.
Can Memphis reclaim some of the magic it had at FedExForum in previous regular seasons, or will the Magic spoil the fun? Continue below for my Magic vs. Grizzlies parlay and my NBA picks for Saturday, October 26.
NBA Same Game Parlay for Magic vs Grizzlies
- Grizzlies Moneyline (-116)
- Paolo Banchero Over 1.5 Made Three-Pointers (-120)
- Ja Morant to Score 20+ Points (-125)
Parlay Odds: +422 on FanDuel
Remember to bet responsibly — this is a long shot for a reason.
Grizzlies Moneyline (-116)
Rebounding has been a severe issue for the Grizzlies through their first two games, but last night’s game against Houston was a new level.
The Rockets outrebounded Memphis by 21, pulling down a ridiculous 23 offensive rebounds en route to a double-digit slaughter.
So why would we consider backing the Grizz against a massive Orlando frontcourt?
Luckily for Memphis, help is on the way, as All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. is set to return to the court on Saturday night, adding another big and physical body to the Grizzlies lineup.
Jackson (6-foot-11) joins Zach Edey (7-foot-4) in the frontcourt, which should alleviate the rebounding issues that Memphis has experienced thus far.
Let’s face it: Santi Aldama's game has some fantastic parts, but physicality is not one of them.
Further, Memphis has been great on its home floor in the Morant-Bane-Jackson era.
In the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, the Grizzlies strung together a 65-17 home record, including a league-best +9.9 net rating. In that stretch, they also had a 14-3 ATS record as home underdogs.
Last season was a wash, but the Grizz have otherwise been a phenomenal team at home, and they have the size to match up with Orlando. I expect a much more physical outing from Memphis in this one.
Paolo Banchero Over 1.5 Made Three-Pointers (-120)
Banchero has looked phenomenal through the Magic’s first two games. Still, his ever-changing role on the offensive end of the floor, depending on the opponent and game situation, makes him somewhat challenging to bet on.
A perfect example is Banchero shooting eight 3-point goal attempts in Orlando’s first matchup of the season but only taking two in the next game.
Even so, Banchero has shot the ball well thus far, knocking down five of his ten 3-point attempts.
Banchero should take the reins offensively in this game, especially against a physical Grizzlies defense playing their first home game of the season.
Further, Jackson Jr should be back for this game; he is one of the best weak-side roamers on the defensive end in the NBA, which makes Memphis an incredibly tough team to score on in the paint when it is healthy.
However, Jackson’s roaming nature allows opposing stretch fours to get clean looks from behind the arc.
As long as Orlando’s drivers can find Banchero when that weak-side help comes, he should be able to knock down at least two 3-pointers.
Ja Morant to Score 20+ Points (-125)
It’s hard to imagine we will get this line on Morant many more times this season, as he will be a perennial All-Star for the foreseeable future.
Morant only played 24 minutes last night against the Houston Rockets, but he still managed to post 24 points. He also eclipsed this line in the team’s first game of the year, scoring 22 points against Utah.
While Orlando’s defense, especially in the half-court, is elite, physical, and long, Morant will still find opportunities to get to the line and finish among the trees in the paint.
Further, the Grizz have been playing with pace thus far in the season, and Morant thrives in transition.
Morant has eclipsed this line in four consecutive games against the Magic.
