The Miami Heat (3-4) look to continue their winning streak, while the Memphis Grizzlies (1-6) are aiming to secure their second win of the year. ZenSports Tennessee sportsbook has the Heat as -2.0 (-110) favorites for the spread.
When: November 8, 2023 at 8:00 PM ET
Where: FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee
Watch: NBA League Pass
Miami Heat Preview
The Heat narrowly escaped the Los Angeles Lakers in a 108-107 victory, as their 18-point fourth quarter nearly cost them the game. They now have two wins in a row, but have plenty of players set as a game time decision for this matchup that could change how this is played.
They are currently third in the Southeast Division and 10th overall in the Eastern Conference. For this matchup, Jimmy Butler (19.0 PPG, 6.7 REB) is a game time decision and will be the difference here. Other players that are out of the lineup and would have impacted the game as well include Nikola Jovic, Jamal Cain, and Caleb Martin.
Their offense has not been great to start the year, as they average 107.4 points per game and rank 26th in the league. Taking care of the basketball and making the right plays make the difference each game. Their efficiency with the ball ranks 24th, with a rating of 107.9.
The Heat’s defense is slightly more appealing, as they rank 14th in allowing teams to average 111.3 points a game. Making stops and limiting teams’ chances at scoring are crucial. They are efficient on defense with a rating of 111.8, ranking 16th in the league.
Memphis Grizzlies Preview
The Grizzlies secured their first victory of the season when they played back-to-back games against the Portland Trail Blazers. In their second game against the Blazers, they defeated them 112-100 and had strong performances in both the second and fourth quarters.
Desmond Bane (26.6 PPG) dropped 30 in their win and gave them the boost they needed on offense. They are still fifth in the Southwest Division and 15th in the West. In this game, they will be tested again without Derrick Rose (Out), Xavier Tillman (Out), and potentially John Konchar (GTD).
Can the Grizzlies maintain their positive energy? They are averaging 108.3 points per game and rank 24th, while their efficiency on offense ranks 29th with a rating of 104.6. Despite their low scoring outputs, they play at an uptempo pace, ranking seventh in the league with a 102.0 rating.
The Grizzlies’ opponents typically average 115.0 points per game, making them the 20th-best team. Their efficiency at stopping teams from scoring ranks 13th, with a rating of 111.1. If they can keep teams below that amount in points, they have an excellent chance at victory as evident in the Blazers matchup.
Betting Odds
ZenSports has compelling NBA wagering opportunities for sports bettors in Tennessee. The Miami Heat are slightly favored to win, with market analysis indicating they have a 54.3 percent chance to be victorious.
Memphis Grizzlies
Spread: +2 (-110)
Miami Heat
Spread: -2 (-110)
Totals: Over 218.5 (-110), Under 218.5 (-110)
Photo Credit: © Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
