Hawks vs. Grizzlies Odds

If you didn't get your NBA fix on Christmas, fret not!

Saturday features a full slate of NBA action, tipping off with the Atlanta Hawks and Memphis Grizzlies (5 p.m. ET). The individual matchup between explosive point guards Trae Young and Ja Morant will absolutely be must-see TV.

With both squads coming off two days of rest, we can expect electric play. But where is the betting value? Let's dig a bit deeper into the matchup and find out.

Atlanta Hawks

Wednesday night in Chicago, the new-look Atlanta Hawks started the season with their best foot forward. Led by the fast and furious Young, the Hawks put together a well-rounded team effort in their 124-104 victory over the Bulls.

Young set the tempo with a game-high 37 points and seven assists, sinking five of his six 3-point attempts. Additionally, all five Hawks starters scored in double figures, while Bogdan Bogdanovic chipped in with 15 points off the bench. The Hawks also did well to crash the boards, out-rebounding the Bulls, 46-37.

Atlanta is a youthful, athletic team that plays with an edge and will surely be enthused for its Saturday night battle in Memphis.

Coming into Saturday night, Atlanta's injury report is fairly full. According to the Action Labs NBA Insiders tool, Kris Dunn, Rajon Rondo, Tony Snell and Onyeka Okongwu are out, while Clint Capela and Danilo Gallinari are doubtful.

It's worth noting that in the Hawks' previous contest with the Bulls, the Atlanta bench was rather flat (outside of Bogdanovic and Kevin Huerter). Despite that, the Hawks were able to put up 117 points per 100 possessions — good for the sixth-best Offensive Rating, according to NBA Advanced Stats.

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Memphis Grizzlies

Like the Hawks, the Grizzlies' injury report is filling up quickly to start the season. Justise Winslow is out along with just about every power forward on the Grizzlies' roster: Jaren Jackson Jr. (out), Jontay Porter (day-to-day), Xavier Tillman (day-to-day), and Killian Tillie (day-to-day) are all tending ailments.

The Grizzlies opened their season with a 12-point home loss to the San Antonio Spurs, a margin they were down by for the majority of the evening.

Despite the loss, Morant picked up right where left off from his Rookie of the Year campaign with a night-high 44 points and still dishing out 9 assists.

Unfortunately, Morant was the lone spark. Just three other Grizzlies managed to score in the double digits; Dillon Brooks scored 16 points, and Jonas Valanciunas added 15. The Grizzlies did so-so on the boards, being slightly out-rebounded by San Antonio, 48-42.

The fact that Morant went for 44 points and nine assists with Memphis still losing comfortably is not the most uplifting news for Grizzlies bettors. Although the franchise seems to be transitioning from their "Grind-house", half-court style they were known for the last decade, they do have the potential to score points in a flurry, especially against bigger, less-athletic lineups.

However, that is not necessarily what they'll be facing Saturday night against the Hawks. This game will likely consist of dueling-momentum swings and numerous lead-changes.

That part worries me for the Grizzlies, especially if the defense is as bad as it was in Game 1. Only Boston Celtics have given up more points per 100 possessions (122.6) than the Grizzlies have this season (120.2). Small sample size, but important against a dynamic scoring team like the Hawks.

Hawks-Grizzlies Pick

The Hawks actually opened as short favorites at some books, but are 1-point underdogs across the board. Even with Capela listed as doubtful for this matchup (and much of the team on the injury report), the Hawks should be able to win this game outright.

The Hawks showed balanced scoring despite their injury woes in the season opener and I expect that to carry over. I'll side with the Hawks.

The Pick: Hawks +1.5