The Memphis Grizzlies (7-4) and New Orleans Pelicans (4-8) will face off in the NBA Cup tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, La. The game will broadcast live on DAZN-MEM and can be traded on Polymarket.
The Grizzlies are 3.5-point favorites over the Pelicans on the spread, with the over/under set at 235.5. The Grizzlies are the preferred trading option, while the Pelicans will be looking to pull off an upset.
Let's get into my Grizzlies vs. Pelicans predictions and NBA picks for Friday, November 13.
Grizzlies vs Pelicans Prediction
- Grizzlies vs Pelicans pick: Pelicans +3.5 (49 cents)
My Grizzlies vs. Pelicans prediction is New Orleans to cover the spread, with the best price currently available at Polymarket. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
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Grizzlies vs Pelicans Odds
Grizzlies vs Pelicans NBA Cup Preview
Memphis Grizzlies Preview
The Grizzlies got off to such a great start this season, and it felt awesome. It was really fun to watch, and I was excited for them.
Since then, the Grizzlies have lost four of their last five games and failed to cover the spread in four of those five. Their one win during this stretch came against an extremely banged-up Raptors team.
It’s also worth noting that they just lost and failed to cover against this exact same Pelicans team at home. Now, we are flipping to a road game for Memphis, and the market has only given us a point-and-a-half switch, which is probably a little bit light.
Structurally, the Grizzlies are struggling with size right now when Zach Edey is out. Isaiah Stewart plays a lot on the perimeter for them, and while he’s been great offensively, he hasn’t been as impactful defensively when they play more switch coverages.
Memphis has a lot of defensive weak points right now that can be attacked.
New Orleans Pelicans Preview
I'll be honest: my metrics say New Orleans sucks. The overarching data screams that this is a bad basketball team. But then I actually sit down and watch them, and I think to myself, they've got some stuff going on.
The Pelicans aren't making a full stew, but they are making some stock. They are cooking down some vegetables, and they are adding some seasoning. It isn't completely bland. I'm not saying it's a full meal, but they aren't drawing dead.
The biggest tactical advantage New Orleans has in this specific matchup is their size. The Pelicans have a lot of sheer physical size, which is exactly what the Grizzlies are struggling to deal with right now.
The Pels can use that length to keep up and attack those weak points in the Memphis defense.
Grizzlies vs Pelicans Pick, Analysis
I make the spread for this game Grizzlies -1.5.
When I factor in the spot and the schematic advantages for New Orleans, I consider this a very good opportunity to grab the points.
I'm going to hold my nose and take the points with the Pelicans at home here.
Grizzlies vs Pelicans Trade: Pelicans +3.5 (49 cents, Polymarket)
