Charlotte Hornets vs Memphis Grizzlies Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 10/02/2024, 05:31  by Joseph King | Modified on 10/02/2024 at 05:32 in NBA Predictions

The 10-40 Charlotte Hornets play host to the 18-34 Memphis Grizzlies for this Saturday evening inter-conference matchup in the NBA. The Hornets are coming into this contest off the back of a heavy 120-84 defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks on the road. The defeat was the 10th in a row for Charlotte as their horrid run of form now has them just a few games ahead of the two consensus worst teams in the NBA, the Wizards and Pistons. After trading away Terry Rozier for 37-year-old Kyle Lowry on an expiring contract and a 2027 first-round pick, the Hornets have a serious lack of offense. Additionally, star young point guard and their best player LaMelo Ball has been absent in the Hornets last seven games with an apparent ankle injury. Despite not being listed on the injury report for this game, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the 22-year-old miss out again as there is certainly no rush to get him back on the court.

It’s been a disastrous season for the Grizzlies as well who had everything fall apart after their incredible 2022/23 campaign which saw them finish second in the West. The 20-game suspension to Ja Morant put the team in the hole early on and the Grizz were never able to claw their way out. With Morant now hurt and out for the season, along with extended stints on the treatment table for second scoring option Desmond Bane and lockdown defender Marcus Smart, Memphis has a distinct lack of star power on the court. The responsibilities on both the offensive and defensive side fall on Jaren Jackson Jr. who is averaging a career high 22.2 points per game on a not-so-efficient 44% from the field and an ugly 31% from three. The Grizzlies are coming off a 118-110 defeat at home to the Chicago Bulls, the team’s seventh in a row.