Atlanta Hawks vs Memphis Grizzlies Prediction, 12/17/2020 NBA Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Atlanta Hawks vs Memphis Grizzlies

Date: Thursday, December 17, 2020

Location: FedExForum in Memphis, TN

TV: NBA League Pass

Odds/Point Spread: Atlanta (+2)

The Atlanta Hawks (20-47 last year) head to FedExForum on Thursday where they'll take on the Memphis Grizzlies (34-39 last season). Memphis opens this contest as 2-point favorites. The O/U is set at 218.

Atlanta will enter this game after finishing with a mark of 20-47 last season. The Hawks shot 33.3% on three-point attempts (805 of 2,416) and 79.0% from the free throw line. They averaged 111.8 points per contest (17th in the NBA) while connecting on 44.9% from the field. They lost possession via turnover 16.2 times per game and as a squad committed 23.1 fouls on a nightly basis. As a team, Atlanta snagged 43.3 boards per game and earned 1,605 dimes last year, which was 21st in basketball in terms of passing the ball. When they were on the defensive end, the Hawks forced their opponents into 15.0 turnovers per contest while drawing 21.0 personal fouls. They were ranked 11th in the league in giving up assists with 1,674 conceded last season. The Hawks allowed and opponent field goal percentage of 47.8% (2,903 of 6,078) and they conceded 47.0 rebounds per contest as a group. They surrendered 36.3% from beyond the arc and they were 30th in basketball in points per game from their opponents (119.7).

The Atlanta Hawks faced the Orlando Magic and took a loss by a score of 116-107 in their last preseason game. Atlanta finished the contest with a 42.7% field goal percentage (38 of 89) and made 17 of their 43 3-pointers. At the free throw line, the Hawks buried 23 of 34 tries for a rate of 67.6%. When discussing rebounding, they earned a total of 61 with 12 of them being on the offensive end. They also recorded 27 dimes in this contest as well as having 4 steals and 2 blocked shots. When it comes to the defense, Atlanta allowed the other team to shoot 40.2% from the floor on 41 out of 102. Orlando earned 23 assists and 10 steals for the game. Furthurmore, the Magic grabbed 52 rebounds (9 offensive, 43 defensive) and had 5 blocks. Orlando finished shooting 66.7% from the free throw line by making 14 of their 21 shots. They also buried 11 out of their 36 tries from three-point range.

Memphis had a record of 34-39 last season. Memphis had 8,222 points throughout last year (112.6 per game) and they averaged 46.5 boards per game. On the offensive side of the ball, the Grizzlies hit 46.8% from the field, which was ranked 7th in the league. The Grizzlies committed 21.2 personal fouls per game and they went 76.3% from the free throw line. Their rate of earning assists was at 26.9 times per contest (2nd in the league) and they lost possession by turning the ball over 15.2 times per contest. The Grizzlies on defense were ranked 21st in basketball in PPG given up with 113.7. They forced 14.8 TO's per game and allowed teams to shoot 45.0% from the field (9th in basketball). The Memphis defense gave up 36.5% on shots from distance (942 of 2,580) and opponents made 78.2% of their shots from the free throw line. They conceded 24.8 dimes and 44.9 boards on a nightly basis, which ranked them 18th and 14th in those categories on the defensive end.

In their last preseason game, the Memphis Grizzlies took a loss by a score of 123-104 when they faced the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Grizzlies were able to snag 45 defensive boards and 6 offensive boards for a total of 51 in this game. They also rejected 5 shots while recording 18 steals in this game. T They were able to make 20 of the free throw tries for a percentage of 64.5%. With respect to shots from beyond the perimeter, Memphis made 11 out of their 33 attempts (33.3%). When all was said and done, the Grizzlies shot 46 out of 92 from the field which gave them a percentage of 50.0%. The Grizzlies allowed the Timberwolves to knock down 35 of their 87 tries from the field which left them with a rate of 40.2% in the game. They shot 27.5% from 3-point land by connecting on 11 out of 40 and finished the contest at 23 of 32 from the free throw line (71.9%). In regard to cleaning up the glass, Memphis permitted Minnesota to grab 47 in total (7 on the offensive glass).

So what is Tonights Parlay prediction?

Parlay's Pundit's Pick: Take Memphis (-2) and over 218 points

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