Grizzlies Vs Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets (11-28) will be aiming to extend their current winning streak to four games when they take on the Memphis Grizzlies (28-15) at 8:00 PM ET on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. The Hornets are entering the game as 12-point underdogs. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies are also riding a three-game win streak, making this an intriguing matchup between two teams with momentum. The game’s total points line has been set at 240, which suggests a high-scoring affair, based on both teams' recent performances and overall offensive capabilities.

Before placing any wagers on this matchup, it’s essential to take a deep dive into the various betting options available, using computer-generated predictions and statistical analysis to guide your decision. 

First, let’s consider how to approach the spread. In 43 games this season, the Memphis Grizzlies have won against the spread in 28 of those contests. However, despite their success against the spread overall, the Grizzlies have yet to cover the spread when favored by 12 points or more. On the other hand, the Hornets have proven to be competitive even when underdogs by a significant margin. They have been given 12-point or greater underdog status in seven games this season and have posted an impressive 5-2 record against the spread in those contests. This suggests that the Hornets can keep games closer than expected, even when they are substantial underdogs.

The Grizzlies’ ability to cover the spread at these larger margins will be a key factor to watch. With their recent form, Memphis will be expected to win, but the question is whether they can win by the necessary margin to cover the 12-point spread. For those betting on the Grizzlies, it's important to consider that they’ve yet to cover a 12-point spread this season, which might influence how confident bettors feel in backing them to cover here.

Next, we look at the total points for the game. The line has been set at 240 points, a number which may seem high but is not entirely out of reach, given the scoring potential of both teams. The Grizzlies, in particular, have had games where the total combined score exceeded this number. Of their 43 games played this season, 18 have had combined scores above 240 points. However, despite this, the Hornets are not typically involved in high-scoring affairs. Only six of their 39 games have seen totals surpass 240 points. This marks a significant contrast in offensive efficiency between the two teams.

When examining the combined average points per game for both the Grizzlies and the Hornets, it becomes clear that both teams average fewer points than the 240-point total set for this game. The combined average points per game of the Grizzlies and Hornets is 9.8 points less than the game total of 240. Furthermore, opponents of the Grizzlies and Hornets have averaged only 227.4 points per game this season, which is 12.6 points fewer than the current over/under. The Grizzlies themselves average 6.8 points less per game than the 240-point line, and the Hornets average 17.1 points less. These statistics suggest that, even though the potential for high-scoring exists, the numbers are slightly stacked in favor of the under.

From a betting standpoint, choosing the under on the total points might be a sound decision, especially given the trend that has been observed in the games involving these two teams. While both teams can produce offensive bursts, the defensive strategies and overall scoring trends seem to indicate a lower total than the line suggests.

Finally, we consider the moneyline bets. Memphis enters this game as a heavy favorite, with the moneyline set at -750. This is the best odds of a victory the Grizzlies have been given this season, highlighting their dominant position in this matchup. Memphis has been listed as the favorite in 28 games this season, winning 21 of those contests. This gives them a strong track record when expected to win outright. On the other hand, the Hornets have struggled in games where they’ve been underdogs, with a 9-26 record in such situations. Their success rate of just 25.7% on the moneyline in these circumstances makes it clear that they have a significant uphill battle ahead of them.

The moneyline odds for this game imply a victory probability of 88.2% for the Grizzlies, making them clear favorites in the eyes of sportsbooks. Conversely, the Hornets are given just a 16% chance to win outright, reflecting their underdog status. For bettors, this represents a low-risk, high-reward scenario when placing a moneyline bet on the Grizzlies.

However, the Hornets are not entirely without hope, as they’ve shown flashes of competitiveness even in difficult situations. Still, their chances of pulling off an upset here are slim based on the current odds and their overall performance this season. If you’re leaning towards betting on the Grizzlies to win outright, the odds are in your favor, but the potential return will be relatively modest, given their status as heavy favorites.

In summary, this game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Memphis Grizzlies offers several intriguing betting opportunities. While Memphis is the clear favorite to win, the spread, total points, and moneyline all offer different ways to approach the game. With the Grizzlies yet to cover a 12-point spread this season when favored by such a margin, and the Hornets showing resilience in similar situations, betting on the Grizzlies to cover the spread could be risky. On the other hand, the total points line of 240 might be too high, especially considering both teams’ scoring averages. The moneyline odds strongly favor the Grizzlies, making them a safer bet for outright victory, but the payout for such a bet will be relatively low. All in all, bettors will need to weigh these factors carefully before making their final decision on how to approach this game.