Memphis Grizzlies vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction 1/30/2026 Today’s NBA Picks

The Memphis Grizzlies and the New Orleans Pelicans duke it out at the Smoothie King Center on Friday night. Here’s a Memphis Grizzlies vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction. This article will include a Memphis Grizzlies vs New Orleans Pelicans Pick.

Memphis Grizzlies Betting Preview 

The Memphis Grizzlies have been in a major slump as they’ve lost 11 of their last 14 games overall, and they will be hoping to arrest a four-game slide after getting stung by the Hornets in a 112-97 home defeat on Wednesday. Jaren Jackson Jr. led the team with 26 points on 10 of 20 shooting, Cedric Coward added 17 points with five assists on six of nine shooting, while GG Jackson chipped in with 12 points off the bench.

As a team, the Grizzlies shot just 46 percent from the field and 14 of 40 from the 3-point line as they struggled to contain the Hornets at the start of the game. They allowed 36 points in the first quarter to trail by seven points at halftime, before the Grizzlies scored just 20 points in the third quarter to see the deficit swell to 22 points at one stage. Cam Spencer had a night to forget as he shot just one of eight from the field to finish with just four points. 

New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview 

Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans have been playing a little better lately as they’ve won three of their last seven games. They were on a two-game win streak before they got stopped by the Thunder in a 104-95 road defeat on Tuesday. Zion Williamson led the team with 21 points and 11 rebounds on eight of 11 shooting, Saddiq Bey added 16 points with 13 rebounds and five assists, while Trey Murphy III chipped in with 10 points and five assists.

As a team, the Pelicans shot a miserable 34 percent from the field and 10 of 40 from the 3-point line as they got off to a nightmare start and scored just 14 points in the first quarter. However, they fought hard to stay within striking distance right till late in the fourth quarter. Herbert Jones had a quiet game of just nine points on three of 12 shooting, while Murphy III shot just three of 20 from the field and one of 11 from the 3-point line. 

Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win

• The favorites have won each of the Pelicans’ last eight games at Smoothie King Center.
• The Grizzlies have lost seven of their last eight night games.
• The Pelicans have covered the spread in each of their last six games as favorites.
• The Grizzlies have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five road games on the first leg of a back-to-back.

Why the Memphis Grizzlies will win

• The Pelicans have lost each of their last nine games at Smoothie King Center following a road loss.
• The Grizzlies have won each of their last six games on the first leg of a back-to-back against the Pelicans.
• The Grizzlies have covered the spread in seven of their last eight road games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
• The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five home games against Western Conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Seven of the Pelicans’ last eight games as home favorites against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Each of the Grizzlies’ last four games as underdogs against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.

New Orleans Pelicans Player Facts

• Trey Murphy III ranks 3rd in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.6) this season.
• Derik Queen is one of only six players to have made 8+ field goals without a miss in a game this season.

Memphis Grizzlies Player Facts

• Jock Landale ranks 4th amongst qualified Centers for 3P% (39.3%) this season.
• Cedric Coward ranks 8th amongst qualified Guards for rebounds per game (6.3) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Pelicans rank 1st for points in the paint per game (57.9) this season.
• Only 28.1% of the Pelicans’ scoring this season has come from beyond the three-point line – lowest mark in the league.
• The Grizzlies rank 28th in the league for opponent three-point field goal attempts per game this season (40.1).
• The Grizzlies rank 27th in the league for field goal percentage this season (45.4%).

Memphis Grizzlies vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction

The Grizzlies are still missing Ja Morant, Zach Edey, Scotty Pippen Jr., and Santi Aldama, while the Pelicans have ruled out Dejounte Murray once again. The Grizzlies have been finding it difficult to keep their heads above water lately, and that comes as no surprise given the number of injuries they’ve had to deal with this season.

This looks like an opportune spot for the rising Pelicans to bounce back after falling just short to the Thunder in their last outing. Jaren Jackson Jr. didn’t get enough help from his teammates in the Grizzlies’ last defeat. I think we’re about to see more of the same as the Pelicans bounce back with a comfortable win and cover at home behind big games from Williamson and Murphy III.

Peter Tran's Pick: New Orleans -2.5