Grizzlies vs. Knicks Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

Apr. 9, 2021

by Joe Williams
NBA Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Memphis Grizzlies (26-23) square off with the New York Knicks (25-27) at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan on Friday night at 7:40 p.m. ET on NBA TV.

The Grizzlies have registered four straight victories to get back over .500, picking on the Eastern Conference lately. Three of their past four wins have been against teams from the East, all on the road, and the Grizz have covered six in a row since their last non-cover on March 27.

The Knicks have dipped back under the .500 mark after losing five of the past six games. While they're struggling to win games, they have covered three in a row, including each of the past two as an underdog. New York enters playing very good defense, allowing 102 or fewer points in seven of the past eight contests.

Grizzlies vs. Knicks Betting Resources

Matchup: Eastern vs. Western Conference
Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
Venue: Madison Square Garden
Location: New York City, New York
Date: Friday, Apr. 9, 2021
Time: 7:40 p.m. ET
TV: NBA TV
Bet: BetMGM | betrivers |FanDuel |bet365 |DraftKings |Best Sportsbooks

Betting Odds - Grizzlies vs. Knicks

Line Movements

Subject to Change

Spread: Grizzlies -1.5
Money-Line: Memphis -125, New York +105
Total: 213.5

The Grizzlies continue their road trip seeking their seventh consecutive cover against New York on Friday night. (AP)

Grizzlies vs. Knicks Current Form-Last Game

The Grizzlies headed to Atlanta on Wednesday in the second end of a back-to-back situation, and they blasted the Hawks 131-113 as a 1.5-point favorite. That was impressive considering it was coming on the heels of a 124-112 victory in Miami as a 6.5-point underdog. For those scoring at home, Memphis is averaging 127.5 PPG, easily hitting the OVER in each of the outings.

Defense has been a big part of things in Grind City in recent years, but lately they have allowed 108 or more points in three of the past four outings. They're allowing 112.5 PPG in the past two contests, and 107 or more points in nine of the past 10 outings.

The Knicks were sharp in Wednesday's 101-99 loss at Boston, but they did hang on for the cover as three-point underdogs as the UNDER connected. Yes, New York has lost each of the past two games, but the setbacks have come by a total of just four points. Ouch. Three of their past four losses have been by a total of five points, too.

New York has faced just two Western Conference teams since mid-March, losing to Dallas and Minnesota while failing to cover in each of the outings. The setback to the Mavericks was at MSG, 99-86, on April 2 as five-point underdogs.

Grizzlies vs. Knicks Head-to-Head

Jan. 29, 2020 - Grizzlies 127 at Knicks 106, Memphis -2.5, Over 222

The last time these teams faced each other was Jan. 29, 2020 before the COVID shutout last season. Memphis crushed New York 127-106 as a 2.5-point underdog as the OVER (222) connected.

The last time the Knicks beat the Grizzlies at MSG was Dec. 6, 2017, 99-88. They have dropped the past two meetings at MSG.

(SU-Straight Up, ATS - Against the Spread, OU - Over-Under)

Memphis Grizzlies Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 26-23 SU, 31-18 ATS, 24-25 OU
Road: 14-9 SU, 15-8 ATS, 15-8 OU

The Grizzlies have picked up four straight victories while registering 116 or more points in each of the outings. In addition, they have covered six in a row, while winning five of those six outings overall.

On the road, Memphis is 3-1 SU/ATS, and they have rolled up 120 or more points in three of the four road outings as the OVER has cashed in three of those contests. In addition, they have allowed 110 or more points in three of those four outings.

In addition, Memphis has won six in a row against Eastern Conference teams, while winning nine of the past 10 games overall vs. East. In addition, they have covered 10 straight against the Eastern Conference since a loss and cover at home against the Toronto Raptors on Feb. 8.

New York Knicks Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 25-27 SU, 30-21-1 ATS, 20-32 OU
Home: 14-10 SU, 13-10-1 ATS, 10-14 OU

The Knicks have been much improved this season vs. the recent decade or two. Finally, New Yorkers are getting a team they can be proud to watch and support.

New York has averaged 104.9 points per game to rank 28th in the NBA, while ranking 22nd while hitting 45.1% from the field. They're seventh from behind the arc at 38.0%. Their biggest issues are 76.6% from the free-throw line. Defensively, they rank No. 1 in the league in points per game (104.1), defensive field-goal percentage (44.1) and three-point percentage (33.6).

The Knicks have covered three in a row while cashing six of the past nine outings. The UNDER has connected in six of the past eight games overall, while hitting in five of the past six home games for New York.

Key Injuries

Memphis Grizzlies

SF Justise Winslow: Thigh - Questionable
SF De'Anthony Melton: Leg - Questionable
PF Brandon Clarke: Calf - Questionable

New York Knicks

C Mitchell Robinson: Foot - Out