Pelicans betting odds vs. Grizzlies: Rivals clash in Memphis

The New Orleans Pelicans and Memphis Grizzlies are connected in many ways.

They play in the same division, they are built around young stars and they have swapped key players.

Zion Williamson and Ja Morant were taken number one and two in the 2019 NBA Draft, and while I don’t think the Pels would do it differently, what Morant is doing is special.

He is a legit MVP candidate and has his team in the second seed of the Western Conference with a chance to make some real noise in the playoffs.

But the New Orleans Pelicans have come on since the trade for CJ McCollum, and now look like they are primed to make a similar type of leap if they can ever get back to full strength.

There’s been some progress of late with Zion, so these two teams look like they are going to be competitive for years to come, which could turn their budding small market rivalry into one of the best in the league.

The Pels look to get back on track after losing an overtime heartbreaker to the Nuggets. New Orleans has a chance to gain ground on the Lakers, who lost last night to the Spurs.

Memphis is coming off a surprising loss to the Rockets, and will again be without the services of Dillon Brooks, who has been ruled out with an injured ankle.

Can the Pelicans win this battle in the war against the Grizzlies?

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Memphis Grizzlies: Odds, spread, over/under and best bets

According to WynnBET, the Pelicans are 5.5 point underdogs on the road tonight against the Grizzlies.

The money lines are set at +180 for New Orleans and -220 for Memphis and the combined over/under is 231.5 points.

I think this will be another close one and like the Pelicans with the points as well as the under.

The Pels have had the best defense in the NBA since the All-Star break and the two teams allow a combined 218 points on the season, so this over/under seems high.

Brandon Ingram has been on a tear of late and seems to be playing off CJ McCollum even more effectively. He’s your best fantasy play right now, especially with Brooks out.  McCollum could also be in for a big night working against youngster Desmond Bane.

New Orleans doesn’t really have a solid low-cost play right now, as their role players have been inconsistent, so stick with Ingram, McCollum and Jonas Valanciunas and find your fantasy value elsewhere.

How to watch Pelicans vs. Grizzlies

Pelicans vs. Grizzlies will be nationally televised on TNT at 6:30 PM CT or you can listen on ESPN 100.3 FM.