Suns vs. Grizzlies prediction and odds for Tuesday, December 27 (Buy low on both defenses)

Two of the top teams in the Western Conference look to avenge Christmas day losses in Memphis when the Grizzlies host the Phoenix Suns from FedEx Forum.

The Suns are reeling; losers of three straight games including a heartbreaking 128-125 loss to the Denver Nuggets as they start a six-game road trip. Devin Booker, Landry Shamet and Cameron Payne are all out for Phoenix.

Meanwhile, the Grizzlies couldn’t slow down a wounded Golden State Warriors team that was without Steph Curry and Andrew Wiggins on Christmas day, falling 123-109 on the road despite 36 points from Ja Morant.

Memphis is a sizable favorite at home, but is it too many points to cover?

Here are the latest odds, plus our Suns vs. Grizzlies best bet for the night.

Suns vs. Grizzlies Odds, Spread and Total

Suns vs. Grizzlies Prediction and Pick

Much of the data suggests backing the Grizzlies in this spot, and while it’s hard to ignore, I can’t get over laying 8-points or thereabouts to a team like Phoenix. Therefore, I’m going to back the under of 226.5 as both teams will look to improve on their no-shows defensively in their previous game.

Phoenix is 3-7 over their last 10 games, and have struggled to keep up their defensive identity away from Footprint Center. They’re middle of the pack in defensive rating at 116.1 in the league, and are gone just 1-4 in their last five away from home.

However, there’s hope they can turn it around. Before this month, Phoenix was a top 6 defensive team in the league, but have slipped to the bottom 5 in their last several games.

Offensively, during the month of December, via Jacob McKenna, the Suns are shooting less than 37% from the floor.

As for Memphis, while most look at their star in Ja Morant and terrific shooting role players as a key source of offense, they’ve been a very good defensive team of late; minus of course, the Christmas day game. For the month, the Grizzlies actually own the league’s best defensive rating overall, as well as at home by a considerable margin.

Despite stars on both sides, I think this game may look more like a rock fight instead, giving value on the under for a slightly inflated total.

Follow all of Ben’s betting plays in real-time HERE!

—

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.