76ers vs. Grizzlies Odds, Expert Pick, Prediction: Can Philadelphia Cover in Memphis? (December 2)

76ers vs. Grizzlies Odds

The 76ers continue their three-game road trip with a stop in Memphis to face the Grizzlies on Friday night.

Philadelphia has had an up-and-down season and enters this matchup in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a 12-10 record. Memphis is in a similar position, coming into this one with a record of 12-9.

Both Philadelphia and Memphis suffered losses in their most recent games, with the 76ers losing to Cleveland and the Grizzlies losing to Minnesota. Will the 76ers be the team that turns things around, or will the Grizzlies defend their home court and grab their 13th win of the season?

Philadelphia 76ers

The injuries to Tyrese Maxey and James Harden have been the main story for Philadelphia over the past two weeks. In that time, the 76ers have managed to stay afloat and win some games, but the absences of Maxey and Harden have hampered the 76ers offense.

Before Harden's foot injury, the 76ers owned the fourth-best Offensive Rating in the NBA (115.6). However, just two weeks after that injury occurred, that Offensive Rating has since fallen to 105.5, which ranks 29th in the NBA in that span of time.

Philadelphia has shot 47.6% from the floor and 36.5% from behind the arc, showing that the depth acquired in the offseason is starting to pay off in the absence of Philadelphia's stars.

The 76ers have also made up for the decreased offensive production with tremendous defense. Philadelphia has slowly morphed into one of the best defensive teams in the league and ranks third in the NBA in Defensive Rating (108.7). The 76ers have held opponents to an average of 105.7 points per game in their past three games.

Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies are dealing with some injuries of their own, most notably to Desmond Bane.

Prior to suffering a toe injury a few weeks ago, Bane was having a breakout season and was a budding star alongside Ja Morant. In 12 games this season, Bane averaged 24.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists. He also shot 46.5% from the floor and 45.1% from behind the arc, giving the Grizzlies arguably the best one-two punch backcourt in the NBA.

Unsurprisingly, we have seen Memphis lose a step on offense without Bane on the floor. Prior to his injury, the Grizzlies owned the fifth-best Offensive Rating in the NBA at 114.8, but since Bane's absence, that rating has fallen to 110.4 (24th).

That drop has come as a result of a tremendous decline in shooting efficiency. Memphis is shooting just 44.2% from the floor and 34.3% from three without Bane in the lineup, both of which are roughly a 2% drop from the Grizzlies season averages.

Bane's offensive production isn't easy to replace and Memphis has been feeling his loss on that end of the floor.

76ers-Grizzlies Pick

We have two teams that have been dealt a bad hand in recent weeks, but I think the 76ers are in a better spot to get back on track in this matchup.

Philadelphia's loss to Cleveland was an ugly one, but that loss came against a Cavaliers team that is holding its opponents to a league-best 93.0 points per game in their past three games. Memphis doesn't pose that kind of threat on the defensive end of the floor.

Furthermore, the 76ers capabilities on defense are not a new trend. According to TeamRankings, the 76ers are holding opponents to just 32.5% shooting from behind the arc this season and have simultaneously done a great job at defending the paint, surrendering the 10th-fewest points per game (47.8) from that area of the floor.

I think Philadelphia is in a good spot to keep a struggling Grizzlies offense from scoring, which will allow the 76ers to stay within striking distance.

Pick: 76ers +5.5

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