Knicks vs Grizzlies Predictions & Odds (Oct. 19)
By Robert Duff in NBA Basketball
Published:
- Memphis is a 6-point home favorite over New York in the Knicks vs Grizzlies odds for their game on Wednesday, October 19
- The Grizzlies were an NBA-best 59-34-1 against the spread during the 2021-22 season, while New York was 15-12 ATS last season as an away underdog
- See the NYK vs MEM predictions and picks for Wednesday
The Memphis Grizzlies took a step forward in terms of the NBA elite last season, but they’ve long been a step ahead of the New York Knicks.
Over the past 20 games between the two clubs, it’s the Grizzlies who are holding a 14-6 straight up edge. Memphis is 11-8-1 against the spread over that same span.
However, when Memphis is the home team, it’s the Knicks who are 3-0 ATS over the past three games. The two teams have split the past 15 meetings in Memphis, showing a 7-7-1 ATS slate.
Oddsmakers are giving with the home team the edge in the NBA odds for this game. Memphis is the 6-point home favorite. It’s the third time in four home games that the Grizzlies are laying 6+ points when facing the Knicks.
Knicks vs Grizzlies Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Knicks | +6 (-113) | +175 | O 225.5 (-112) |
| Memphis Grizzlies | -6 (-108) | -215 | U 225.5 (-109) |
Odds as of October 18 at Barstool Sportsbook. Claim the Barstool Sportsbook promo code to bet on the NBA.
The Grizzlies opened up as 5.5-point favorites, and the line was climbing as high as Memphis -7.5 before settling in with the Grizzlies as the 6-point chalk. The contest features a 225.5-point total. The game is being broadcast by ESPN.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 pm ET at FedExForum. Memphis was 30-11 at home last season. New York went 20-21 as a road team in 2021-22.
New York Knicks Betting Trends
In 2020-21, the Knicks were an NBA playoff team for the first time in seven seasons. Last season, they skidded back down to 37-45, finishing the season six games out of the final spot for the Eastern Conference playoff play-in games.
After posting career highs in points (24.1) and rebounds (10.2) in 2020-21, power forward Julius Randle slipped back to 20.1 and 9.9. However, shooting guard RJ Barrett was emerging as a force. He finished the campaign averaging a career-high 20.0 PPG, while equaling career bests in assists (3.0) and rebounds (5.8) per game.
RJ Barrett's preseason stats are 👀👀:
🔥 20.0 PPG
🔥 48.8% FG%
🔥 47.1% 3P%
🔥 90.9% FT%#Knicks pic.twitter.com/yJ0JFotUWe— Into the Knicks-Verse (@KnicksVerse) October 13, 2022
The only major offseason addition for New York was free-agent point guard Jalen Brunson. He posted a personal best of 16.3 PPG last season for the Dallas Mavericks.
Veteran guard Derrick Rose (rest) will be sitting out the season opener.
Memphis Grizzlies Betting Trends
The Grizzlies tied a franchise record last season with 56 wins. Finishing as the #2 seed in the Western Conference, Memphis averaged 115.6 points per game last season. That was good for second in the NBA.
This was all accomplished even though NBA All-Star guard Ja Morant was missing in action for 25 games due to a variety of injuries. Yet despite all this success, bettors can still access a betting line of +2200 on the Grizzlies in the NBA championship odds. Morant is listing as the seventh betting choice in the NBA MVP odds at +1400.
Welcome to the Ja Morant show 🔥 pic.twitter.com/hEmF6fmLvg
— B24 Dunk (@B24Dunk) October 14, 2022
Memphis is featuring a solid core of homegrown talent, and all of it is locked up for the long term. Morant is signed for the next five seasons. Power forward Brandon Clarke recently agreed to a four-year contract extension. Power forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr is signed through the 2025-26 season.
Unfortunately, Jackson is out until December following right foot surgery. Also on the injured list is veteran swingman Danny Green (knee).
Knicks vs Grizzlies Prediction
Memphis was the NBA’s top team against the spread last season. The Grizzlies were 59-34-1, a 63.4% coverage rate. As a home team, they were also a league-best 31-16 (66%). However, as a home favorite the Grizzlies were covering at  60.6% of the time (20-13). That was only good for fifth overall in the NBA.
Highest PPG in NBA Season openers by an active player:
31.7 — Ja Morant
27.6 — Anthony Davis
27.0 — Trae Young
25.4 — Kevin Durant pic.twitter.com/3KK4FzY2wC— NBA World (@NBAW0RLD24) October 18, 2022
On average last season, the Grizzlies (115.6) were scoring nine more points per game than the Knicks normally were allowing (106.6). During the 2021-22 campaign, Memphis covered the spread at a 46-14-2 rate when scoring 106.6 points in a game.
There’s also the fact that Morant generally lights up season openers. His 31.7 scoring average in season debuts is #1 among current NBA players.
Pick: Memphis Grizzlies -6 (-108)
Sports Writer
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
