Game Preview: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Miami Heat
The Memphis Grizzlies are set to clash with the Miami Heat on Saturday evening at 8 p.m. EST in Miami, after struggling with a four-game losing streak on the road. Currently, the Grizzlies sit at 21 wins and 33 losses, positioned 11th in the Western Conference, while the Heat hold a record of 29 wins and 27 losses, occupying the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference.
Betting Odds
According to the latest odds from BetMGM Sportsbook, the Heat are favored by 9.5 points, with an over/under of 238 for the game.
Previous Matchup
In their previous match-up this season, held on October 25, Miami overwhelmed Memphis with a 146-114 victory, with Bam Adebayo leading the Heat by scoring 24 points. Cedric Coward was the top scorer for the Grizzlies in that game, contributing 16 points.
Player Highlights
For the Heat, Adebayo has been a standout with an average of 18.4 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, while Jaime Jaquez Jr. excels in the paint, helping the team score an impressive 54.4 points per game in that area. Miami has also been strong at home, boasting a record of 16-11 this season.
Conversely, the Grizzlies have had a tougher time on the road, with a record of 9-18, yet they manage to rank ninth in the league for rebounding, averaging 45.0 boards per game, led by Santi Aldama’s 6.7 per game. On the offensive end, Memphis averages 13.4 three-pointers made per game, slightly below the 13.8 achieved by the Heat’s opponents.
Recent Performance
Over the last ten games, Miami has posted a 4-5 record, scoring an average of 119.7 points per game while securing 51.0 rebounds, 28.8 assists, and 9.8 steals, all while shooting 45.8% from the field. In contrast, the Grizzlies have struggled with a record of 3-7, averaging 116.5 points while allowing 121.7 points to their opponents, alongside 39.1 rebounds and 27.3 assists, shooting at 48.1%.
Injury Report
In terms of injuries, the Heat have no players listed as unavailable. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies will be missing several key contributors, including Ja Morant (elbow), Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe), and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (finger), among others, leaving them significantly shorthanded for this matchup.
Conclusion
With both teams looking to improve their standings, this matchup promises to be intense as Memphis searches for much-needed momentum against the well-performing Heat.
