- What: NBA Regular Season Game
- When: February 28, 2025
- Who: New York Knicks vs. Memphis Grizzlies
- Time: 5:00 p.m. PST
- Where: FedEx Forum (Memphis, TN)
Two of the NBA’s premier teams will clash tonight at the FedExForum as the Memphis Grizzlies welcome the New York Knicks.
Both squads boast an impressive record of 38-20, and I anticipate that the advantage of playing at home will be the key factor in this matchup.
New York
New York secured a 110-105 victory over Philadelphia, with Jalen Brunson leading the team with 34 points and seven assists.
The Knicks shot 52% from the field, dominating in rebounding and points in the paint. Josh Hart and Karl Anthony-Towns are currently day-to-day.
As they prepare for this matchup, New York ranks 6th in the league, averaging 117.2 points per game.
don't miss your friday night knicks ????
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— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 28, 2025
They excel in scoring in the paint, sitting 5th in that category, and boast a strong, effective field goal percentage of 57.8%, placing them 2nd overall. Their three-point shooting is also impressive at 38.8%, ranking 3rd.
Defensively, the Knicks allow 110.8 points per game, which ranks them 11th. However, they struggle to defend the paint, giving up 47.4 points per game, and their opponents have an effective field goal percentage of 54.5%.
New York has been disciplined with fouls, averaging 17.4 per game, but needs to improve their steal rate and fast break defense. Limiting the Grizzlies to single shots will be key for their defensive performance.
Memphis
Memphis edged out the Suns 151-148 in a high-scoring overtime thriller, with Ja Morant leading the team with 29 points and eight assists.
The Grizzlies shot 52.5% from the field but struggled on the glass, finishing +18 in paint scoring. Desmond Bane is currently day-to-day.
Entering this game, Memphis averages 123 points per game, ranking first in the league.
They rely heavily on points in the paint, ranking 2nd, and perform well from beyond the arc, sitting in the top 10 for three-point shooting and attempts.
Tonight’s Giveaway ????⤵️
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— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) February 28, 2025
Despite excelling in offensive rebounds and second-chance points, their bottom-10 ranking in turnovers hampers their efficiency. To stay competitive, maintaining perimeter consistency and limiting turnovers is crucial.
On defense, Memphis allows 115.1 points per game, ranking 21st. While they struggle in the paint, giving up nearly 49 interior points per game, their perimeter defense stands out, with opponents shooting 34.7% from three.
The Grizzlies rank 4th in forced turnovers, contributing to their strong transition game. However, frequent fouling has often sent opponents to the free-throw line.
Reducing fouls while maintaining pressure will be key for Memphis to hold its lead in the Southwest division.
Knicks-Grizzlies Best Bet
Memphis currently leads the league in points per game and ranks in the top 10 for both effective field goal and 3-point percentage.
Furthermore, they excel at scoring in the paint, where the Knicks struggle defensively. Additionally, New York is last in the league in terms of the opponent’s 3-point percentage.
This presents a clear opportunity for Memphis to capitalize. Pick the Grizzlies and lay the 4.5 points.
Best Bet: Grizzlies -4.5 points at -105 odds.
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Tony Reyes is a sports betting analyst and reporter for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X @TonyParlay.
