Coming into the March 2nd Grizzlies at Hawks betting pick you don’t see Atlanta favored a lot like they are Monday. The Hawks are -2 vs. a Grizzlies team trying to hold on to the 8 seed in the West. The Hawks have been favored just 4 times in their last 15 games, although they have won all of those contests.
The Memphis defense will be put to the test in this one. The Grizzlies allowed 124+ points in 3 of their first 4 out of the all-star break before holding the Kings to 104 (in a loss) and the Lakers to 88 on Saturday. Oddsmakers are still expecting a high scoring affair though with a betting total of 241.
Memphis Tries to Avoid the Letdown
The Grizzlies looked good on Saturday, taking down the Lakers 105-88 as +11 home underdogs. It was a solid offensive night for Memphis as Ja Morant, Dillon Brooks, and Jonas Valanciunas all scored 22+ points vs. the Lakers #3 defensive efficiency. Memphis had gone 0-5 since returning from the all-star break.
The win vs. the Lakers sets Memphis up nicely for the March 2nd Grizzlies at Atlanta betting pick. Valanciunas also had 20 rebounds, his 2nd straight of 20+ boards. The Hawks rank 27th in the league in rebound rate. Atlanta is also 29th defensively vs. the C position so Memphis should have a good night on the blocks.
The betting total is also 241 for this matchup of Atlanta’s #4 pace and the Grizzlies’ #7 unit in possessions per game. The Hawks are 28th in defensive efficiency so the Grizzlies and their #8 field goal shooting offense should be in store for a big night. Memphis has 120 implied points in this one.
Is Atlanta Putting Things Together?
The Hawks have climbed out of the Eastern Conference basement after wins in 4 of their last 6 games. That includes two victories in a row 141-118 over Brooklyn and 129-117 vs. Portland on Saturday on the back-to-back.
Atlanta dished out a season high 34 assists vs. the Trail Blazers on 0 days rest on Saturday led by 15 from Trae Young. The Hawks have hit 37 three pointers the last two games as well. Does the Memphis defense that gave up 124+ in 3 of 4 after the all-star break show up on Monday or the one that allowed 96 ppg the last two?
The Grizzlies have their share of woes on defense too, ranking 27th in the league defensively vs. the PF. That gives Atlanta’s John Collins a great matchup in this meeting. Collins has 26+ in 4 out of the last 5 with three double-doubles over that span.
March 2nd Grizzlies at Hawks Betting Pick
This is the first meeting of the two teams this season but in a split last season one team scored 130+ in both games. That’s the type of offensive output oddsmakers are expecting tonight but from what team? Memphis has played great defense the last two though but both of those were in Memphis. Atlanta is at home for the fourth straight game in this one which gives them the edge.
Pick: Atlanta Hawks -2
