Oklahoma City Thunder at Memphis Grizzlies odds, picks and predictions

Nathan Beighle

Sportsbook Wire

The Oklahoma City Thunder (6-15) travel to FedExForum Thursday to take on the Memphis Grizzlies (11-10). Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Thunder vs. Grizzlies odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.

The Thunder are coming off a disappointing 114-110 loss Wednesday against the Houston Rockets in which they failed to cover as 2.5-point home favorites.

OKC is led by G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and has been a covering machine this season, 13-8 against the spread (ATS).

The Grizzlies have had similar success with a 12-9 ATS record. However, their leader G Ja Morant is out. The Grizzlies have picked up consecutive wins and enter Thursday as heavy home favorites despite his absence.

Thunder at Grizzlies odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports' betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:05 a.m. ET.

Money line: Thunder +300 (bet $100 to win $300) | Grizzlies -400 (bet $400 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Thunder +8.5 (-102) | Grizzlies -8.5 (-122)
Over/Under (O/U): 212.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)

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Thunder at Grizzlies key injuries

Thunder (not officially submitted)

None expected that will affect gambling odds

Grizzlies

G Ja Morant (knee) out
F Kyle Anderson (back) questionable

Thunder at Grizzlies odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Grizzlies 107, Thunder 103

Money line

PASS on the money line. If there is a playable side, it's OKC at +300.

The Grizzlies' best player is out so OKC will have the best player on the court. That's note-worthy but it still likely won't result in a road victory for a six-win team.

Against the spread

BET on the THUNDER +8.5 (-102) as Memphis is worse than their record indicates.

The Grizzlies are over .500 yet have a minus-4.9 net rating. Defensively, they've been atrocious. They are amongst the worst teams in the league with 114.4 points allowed per game.

The Grizzlies offensive firepower also takes a hit with Morant not on the court. The Thunder will have the best player on the court with SGA averaging 21.2 points per game - he put up 39 on the Rockets in Wednesday's contest.

Guarding him is going to be a nightmare for Memphis. For those two reasons, I'm siding with the Thunder to cover here. The spread is just too much for a team missing its best player.

Over/Under

BET on the UNDER 212.5 (-112) as both teams rank outside the top ten in pace.

Furthermore and more importantly, the Thunder can rebound. OKC ranks fourth in defensive rebounding and that will be a huge plus for them against a Grizzlies team that attacks the offensive glass at the second-highest rate.

With OKC bottom of the league in true shooting percentage at 50.6%, they rely on their defensive play to stay in games. Their defense and rebounding should allow them to do just that.

Couple it with poor playmaking for Memphis and a weak defense, and the Under should be the better side of the total.

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