The Memphis Grizzlies (18-24) host the New Orleans Pelicans (10-36) at FedExForum on Friday, trying to get back into the win column and the Western Conference play-in hunt. New Orleans, entering Friday night with the worst record in the league, is searching for any momentum it can find. Tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m. ET on NBA League Pass.
Below, we’ll break down our Pelicans vs. Grizzlies prediction and spread for Friday night’s game. Make your picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks and earn real money if you’re right, including on game winners, spreads, and totals.
{{nba_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}
Pelicans vs. Grizzlies Prediction, Spread
The Grizzlies enter Friday’s matchup without PG Ja Morant, sidelined by a left elbow injury, pushing PF-C Jaren Jackson Jr. into a primary offensive role. Jackson's ability to create and facilitate in Morant's absence will be critical against a Pelicans squad that could welcome back SF Herbert Jones from injury.
The Pelicans, meanwhile, face an uphill climb at 10-36 and must lean on PF Zion Williamson to generate consistent offense and ease the burden on a struggling backcourt. If Jones returns, he can stabilize their perimeter defense and restore some of the scoring depth they’ve missed during a three-game skid.
Pelicans vs. Grizzlies Over/Under, Spread
The Pelicans enter Friday’s game as 5.5-point road underdogs, returning a 2.63x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
The Grizzlies are home favorites with a 1.42x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
- Spread: Memphis Grizzlies -5.5
- Over/Under: 240.5
- Game Winner Payout: Pelicans 2.63x | Grizzlies 1.42x
Team Picks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change.
Pelicans vs. Grizzlies Injury Report
Let’s dive into the full Pelicans vs. Grizzlies injury report for Friday, via NBA.com.
Pelicans Injury Report
- G José Alvarado (oblique) – OUT
- SF Herbert Jones (ankle) – Questionable
- PG Dejounte Murray (achilles) – OUT
Grizzlies Injury Report
- PF Santi Aldama (knee) – OUT
- F Brandon Clarke (calf) – OUT
- C Zach Edey (ankle) - OUT
- G Ty Jerome (calf) - OUT
- PG Ja Morant (elbow) - OUT
- G Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe) - OUT
Pelicans vs. Grizzlies Numbers to Know
Here are some facts and figures to help you make your Pelicans vs. Grizzlies prediction on Friday, January 23.
- The Pelicans are 24-21-1 against the spread (53.3%) this season, a solid cover rate for a 10-36 team. They’re 15-10-0 ATS at home (57.7%) but only 9-11 ATS on the road.
- Memphis enters at 18-24-0 ATS (42.9%), placing them 25th in the league in cover percentage. The Grizzlies are particularly vulnerable at home, going 9-12-0 ATS at FedExForum this season.
- The Pelicans have struggled in their last 10 games, going 3-7 ATS despite averaging 113.3 PPG. Memphis counters with defensive inconsistency, allowing 116.2 points per game over its last 10 contests.
- New Orleans scores 114.7 PPG but allows 122.0 PPG, with a bottom-tier defensive efficiency around 119.0. The Pelicans are 14-6 ATS when they top 116.2 points.
- The Grizzlies average 115.3 PPG (20th) and maintain a -1.0 average scoring margin this season. Memphis ranks 14th in defensive efficiency at 114.0, holding opponents to 116.2 PPG when healthy.
- Memphis holds a commanding 8–2 edge over New Orleans in the last 10 meetings, covering the spread in seven of those games.
Pelicans vs. Grizzlies Picks for PrizePicks Today: Friday, January 23
Here are two of the top Pelicans vs. Grizzlies picks on PrizePicks Player Picks for Friday, January 23. Player projections via the PrizePicks real-money NBA game.
Pelicans PF Zion Williamson vs. Grizzlies Projection: 31.5 Pts Rebs+Asts
- Williamson averages 31.0 PRA this season (21.9 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.4 APG) and 32.2 PRA over his last ten full games.
- Against Memphis, Zion averages 21.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game for his career (31.8 PRA).
- The Duke product 27.3% usage rate ranks among the league’s top forwards, paired with a 62.6% true shooting percentage.
- Memphis brings an average efficiency defense that just gave up 124 points to Atlanta on 46.7% shooting.
- Zion's 13.7% defensive rebounding percentage and 20.1% assist rate place him among the top power forwards in playmaking and board work.
Grizzlies PF-C Jaren Jackson Jr. vs. Pelicans Projection: 27.5 Pts+Rebs
- JJJ averages 24.3 combined points and rebounds this season (18.7 PPG, 5.5 RPG), with that number climbing over his last five games.
- Without Morant in the lineup this season, Jackson averages 18.3 PPG and 5.5 RPG.
- New Orleans’ 71.7% defensive rebounding rate and 12.3 offensive boards allowed per game rank near the bottom of the league, giving Jackson extra chances on the glass.
- Memphis ranks sixth in defensive rebounding rate (75.0%), while Jackson posts 0.9 offensive RPG.
- The Pelicans allow opposing centers to score 23.9 PPG (fifth-most) and 15.3 RPG (sixth-most).
{{nba_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}
Make Pelicans vs. Grizzlies Picks on PrizePicks
Pelicans vs. Grizzlies on Friday isn’t the only way basketball fans can make their NBA picks for player projections.
You can make your picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks and earn real money. Just pick players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and cash in if you’re correct. With Team Picks, make predictions on winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 30 states.
Stick around with the Playbook for continued NBA predictions, picks, and news.
Team Picks and Culture Picks are event contracts offered by Performance Predictions II, LLC d/b/a PrizePicks Predict, a CFTC-registered FCM and NFA Member. All event contract customers must be U.S. residents and 18+. Some event contracts may not be available in every state. Event contract trading carries significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. No guarantee against loss is offered. Past results are not necessarily indicative of future results. Void where prohibited by law. Restrictions apply. For full terms of service see prizepicks.com/predict-regulatory. Team and Culture Pick Early Payouts subject to market liquidity. The content provided is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, or a recommendation to trade any commodity interest.
