Memphis Grizzlies vs. Atlanta Hawks Predictions, Picks, Odds

Michael Crosson Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

Nationally televised NBA action will resume on Friday night with a compelling non-conference showdown between the Memphis Grizzlies and Atlanta Hawks. Coverage begins from State Farm Arena at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV.

Score Prediction

Grizzlies 119, Hawks 110

Best Bets

Grizzlies -3.5 (-110) at Caesars

Grizzlies vs. Hawks Predictions

After last year’s impressive Eastern Conference Finals’ run, the Hawks stumbled out to a surprisingly poor start to this season, as the Hawks kicked things off with a frustrating 16-25 SU and 14-27 ATS skid – despite getting tagged as favorites in 25 of those matchups.

Atlanta has played solid, yet inconsistent basketball since early January though, considering the Hawks enter Friday riding a bumpy 18-10 SU and 14-14 ATS stretch – despite yielding sturdy averages of 114.7 OPPG and 113.2 DPPG across that window.

On the other hand, Memphis also posted a surprisingly slow start to the season, as the Grizzlies opened with a lackluster 9-10 SU and 10-9 ATS skid – with nine of those losses coming by 10+ PTS.

The Grizzlies have arguably been the hottest team in basketball since that opening stretch though, considering Memphis boasts records of 39-12 SU and 35-16 ATS across their last 51 games – while scoring 116.5 OPPG and surrendering just 106.8 DPPG across that window.

I’ll back Memphis here, as the Hawks are 5-4 SU and 1-8 ATS in their last nine games, while tallying just 115.7 OPPG and allowing 116.1 DPPG during that span – setting the stage for another unfavorable matchup against a Grizzlies squad that’s averaging 122.8 OPPG across their last 13-4 SU run.

Grizzlies vs. Hawks Betting Odds

More Odds | Futures Odds

Grizzlies vs. Hawks Betting Resources

• Matchup: Southwest vs. Southeast
• Date: Friday, March 18, 2022
• Venue: State Farm Arena
• Location: Atlanta, GA
• TV-Time: NBA TV - 7:30 p.m. ET
• Injury Report

Memphis Grizzlies Betting Analysis

• SU: 48-22
• ATS: 45-25
• O/U: 38-31-1

After finishing eighth in the West with a record of 38-34 SU last year, Memphis briefly flew under the league’s radar by posting a 9-10 SU start to this season, inevitably getting tagged as underdogs in seven-of-ten matchups in early December – yet quickly stole the spotlight with a trio of upset victories and a 7-3 SU record across that window.

The Grizzlies have absolutely dominated since their opening stretch though, considering Memphis enters Friday riding an impressive 39-12 SU and 35-16 ATS stretch – with 12 of those SU victories coming in matchups they were underdogs in.

Atlanta Hawks Betting Analysis

• SU: 34-35
• ATS: 28-41
• O/U: 37-32

Atlanta was cursed with incredibly high expectations after last year’s unexpected Eastern Conference Finals’ run, as Atlanta dominated the Knicks in a five-game first-round set and stunned the top-seeded Sixers in the second, before inevitably falling short against Milwaukee in a competitive six-game ECF.

The Hawks have been on quite the rollercoaster since New Year’s Day though, considering Atlanta is 18-10 SU and 14-14 ATS in their last 28 games – despite scoring a lofty 114.7 OPPG across that window.

Grizzlies vs. Hawks Head-to-Head

The Grizzlies and Hawks split a two-game regular-season set last year, with both matchups soaring over the total at an average of 239 PPG. The most recent meeting between these teams took place back in November of this season though, which resulted in another high-scoring victory for Atlanta (132-100, O 227).

Key Players to Watch

• MEM: Ja Morant - PG (27.5 PPG, 5.8 REB, 6.7 AST)
• MEM: Desmond Bane - SF (17.9 PPG, 4.5 REB, 2.6 AST)
• ATL: Trae Young - PG (28 PPG, 3.8 REB, 9.5 AST)
• ATL: Clint Capela - C (10.7 PPG, 12 REB, 1.3 BLK)

Grizzlies vs. Hawks Betting Conclusion

After having a three-game win streak snapped in Charlotte on Wednesday night (L, 116-106), the Hawks return home for Friday’s contest as short underdogs against the Grizzlies at State Farm Arena – marking the second time Atlanta has been an underdog across their last nine games.

I’ll back Memphis here, as the Grizzlies are 13-4 SU and 11-6 ATS in their last 17 games, while generating 122.8 OPPG and allowing just 112.2 DPPG during that timeframe – likely presenting an uphill battle for a Hawks squad that’s surrendered 114+ PTS in five of their last eight contests (117.3 DPPG).

Grizzlies vs. Hawks Betting Trends

• The Grizzlies are 13-7 ATS in their last 20 games.
• The Hawks are 0-7 ATS in their last seven games.
• The total has gone OVER in four of the last five Grizzlies' games.
• The total has gone UNDER in four of the last six Hawks' games.
• The Hawks are 6-0 SU in their last six home games.

Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson began his time at VegasInsider as a freelance NBA writer back in 2019 while he continued to study Psychology and Biology at James Madison University. Following his graduation in 2021, Michael joined the team full-time, and he's been with VI ever since. Michael still writes NBA, NFL, and MLB for VI, as well as gambling industry news. He's also become a crucial part of our editorial production team. More from Michael Crosson