Memphis Grizzlies vs Phoenix Suns 03/15/2021 NBA Betting Odds, Preview and Prediction

The Memphis Grizzlies play the second of their back-to-back schedule at the PHX Arena on Monday night as they take on the Phoenix Suns.

Memphis lost at Oklahoma City on Sunday to a Thunder team that is just 17-22 on the season. The Grizzlies allowed 16 three-pointers from one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the league and that cost them the game. They will not take on a Phoenix team that has won 8 out of their last 10 games and which is trying to bounce back after watching their 5-game winning run snapped. The Suns rank in the Top 10 in three-point percentage and 11th in three-point makes per game.

Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies are 17-18 on the season and they are currently in third place in the Southwest Division but are just two games behind conference leaders, San Antonio. Memphis is playing back-to-back games here, and they lost to the Thunder in OKC last night. The Grizzlies are in 10th place in the Western Conference team standings and are two games behind the 8th seed.

In their last game, the Grizzlies suffered a 128-122 loss to the OKC Thunder. Ja Morant led the team with 22 points and 7 assists while Dillon Brooks added 19 but on a lowly 7-18 shooting from the field. Jonas Valanciunas had another double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds but Memphis lost for the third time in four games to drop to below the .500 mark once again at 17-18.

Memphis ranks 19th in the league in scoring at 111.8 points per game this season. They are 8th in rebounding at 45.5 boards grabbed per contest. The Grizzlies are 4th overall in passing at 27.1 assists per game. They are ranked 9th in scoring defense at 110.6 points per game this season.

What are the Moneyline Odds?

Grizzlies

+230

Suns

-275

Odds from BetOnline as of 03/15/2021

Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns are 25-12 on the season and they are the surprise leaders in the Pacific Division. Phoenix also has the second-best record in the Western Conference and the third-best record in the entire NBA. The Suns have won eight out of their last 10 games played but are coming off a loss to the Indiana Pacers in their last game.

Devin Booker led the Suns with 20 points and 7 assists but he made just one of six three-point attempts. Chris Paul had 10 assists while scoring eight points but was just 2-10 from the field. Deandre Ayton posted another double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds while Dario Saric had a big night off the bench with 17 points in a losing effort.

Phoenix has the 12th best scoring average in the league at 113.9 points per game this season. They are only 23rd in rebounding at 43.2 boards grabbed per contest and are the second-best passing team in the league at 27.2 assists per game. The Suns also have the NBA’s 5th best scoring defense at 107.9 points per game this campaign.

Who Wins?

Memphis is 4-6 SU in their last 10 games played. The Grizzlies are 9-6 SU in 15 road games played this season. Phoenix is 8-2 SU in their last 10 games played. The Suns are 12-7 SU in 19 home games played this season. Head to head, the Grizzlies have won four out of their last five meetings against the Suns.

The Grizzlies have now lost three out of their last four games played and they are coming off a 128-122 defeat in Oklahoma City last night. This will be Memphis’ third game in four nights and fatigue should be slowly creeping in. Ja Morant shot just 7-15 last night while Dillon Brook made only 7 of 18 shots.

The Suns have not lost back to back games since January 28th. Chris Paul is coming off a 2-10 shooting night and I expect the veteran to bounce back with a big effort here.

Prediction: Phoenix Suns

Other Bets To Make

The Grizzlies are 5-1 ATS in their last six games played. Memphis is 4-1 ATS in their last five games as the betting underdog, 3-9 ATS in their last 12 road games against an opponent with a winning home record, and 2-8 ATS in their last 10 road games against an opponent with a home winning percentage of greater than .600. The Suns are 5-1 ATS in their last six games played. Phoenix is 9-3 ATS in their last dozen home games, 13-3 ATS in their last 16 games as the betting favorite, 4-1 ATS in their last five games when playing on one day rest, and 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games as home favorites. Head to head, the Grizzlies are 4-1 ATS in their last five games played against the Suns.

What are the Spread Odds?

Grizzlies

+7 (-110)

Suns

-7 (-110)

Odds from BetOnline as of 03/15/2021

The Grizzlies have been a good road team this season and they have played well against the spread. However, the Suns are having a really terrific season and were on a five-game winning streak before losing to the lowly Pacers last Saturday. Despite the loss, Phoenix has been one of the best teams in covering the spread since the Orlando Bubble. The Suns are 35-16 ATS in their last 51 games played. Their previous five wins came by an average of 9.2 points per game and they are winning at home by an average margin of 7 points. Memphis is playing back to back games here so I expect the Suns to win and cover as well.

Prediction: Suns -7

The total has gone under in seven out of the last nine games played by the Grizzlies. The under is 6-0 in their last six games as the betting underdog, 5-1 in their last six games against the Western Conference, 16-5 in their last 21 games against an opponent with a winning percentage of .600 or better, and 24-9 in their last 33 Monday games. The total has gone over in 11 out of the last 15 games played by the Suns. The over is also 4-1 in Phoenix’s last five games played at home, 4-1 in their last five games as home favorites, 6-2 in their last eight home games against an opponent with a winning road record. Head to head, the total has gone under in five out of the last six meetings between these two teams. The under is also 5-1 in their last six games played in Phoenix.

The Memphis offense has been unpredictable. In their last four games, they have two games with more than 122 points but have another two with 111 or fewer. Six games prior to those contests, they had three games where they scored below 100 points and another three where they put up over 120 so you don’t know which team shows up. The Suns are capable of putting up big numbers but have seen the over and under split in their last six games. Sure, the trends say over but the total has not been set to higher than 227 points in their last nine games. I think 228 is too much for two teams that rank in the Top 10 in scoring defense.

Prediction: Under 228

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