Atlanta Hawks vs Memphis Grizzlies Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 23/12/2023, 02:12  by Kennedy Kechula | Modified on 23/12/2023 at 11:30 in NBA Prediction

The resurgent Memphis Grizzlies will be away to the Atlanta Hawks looking to stretch their current NBA winning run. They arrive for this fixture sitting 13th in the Western Conference while the Hawks are 11th in the East. The Hawks have struggled playing at home and have had their most success on away days. Quin Snyder’s men, who are four games below .500, have compiled a 4-7 record at home. They have allowed their opponents a whopping 126.2 points a game at the State Farm Arena. Despite their struggles even away from home, the Hawks remain one of the more efficient scoring teams in the league. Their 122.8 points a night is only bettered by two other teams. Atlanta is coming off a 122-113 defeat in Miami that ended a two-game winning run. De’Andre Hunter is a doubt for this game due to illness while Jalen Johnson is out with a wrist injury. The two are averaging 14 points a game.

The Memphis Grizzlies have seen an upturn in form in recent outings. Taylor Jenkins’ men have won their last two matches which is only the second time they have won back-to-back games this season. It is therefore no coincidence that this resurgence has coincided with the return of star guard Ja Morant. Morant returned from a 25-game suspension earlier this week and played his first game of the season in New Orleans. They won the game to end a five-match losing run and followed that up with a 116-103 victory over the Pacers last time out. They have now won eight games but have a long way to claw themselves to over .500. With Atlanta struggling to play at home, the Grizzlies have on their part had most of their success on the road. Six of their eight wins have come away from home where they are averaging 108 points a game. Memphis’ strength this season has been its defence which is ranked 10th in the league. Steven Adams, Brandon Clarke, and Luke Kennard are all out due to injury while Marcus Smart is a doubt.