The Memphis Grizzlies figure to be very short-handed once again as they put a two-game winning streak on the line when they visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday. Dressing only nine players for the third straight game, the Grizzlies managed to outlast the Los Angeles Lakers 103-100 on Saturday.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. New Orleans Pelicans
When: 8:00 PM ET, Monday, December 5, 2016
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
| ROT | TEAM | PS | OU | Money Line |
| 709 | MEMPHIS | -6.5 (-110) | 200 (-110) | 210 -270 |
| 710 | NEW ORLEANS |
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Memphis), FSN New Orleans
PREDICTION: Grizzlies 99, Pelicans 94</strong>
Reserve guard Troy Daniels was the latest to step up for Memphis with a career-high 31 points and Marc Gasol recorded 19 while JaMychal Green notched his second double-double (16 points, 13 rebounds). Daniels understands that with so many key players on the sidelines, someone needs to step up, and he is happy to take on a more prominent role. “I feel like I can make every shot that I take, and coach is giving me the green light,” Daniels told reporters. “My teammates are wanting me to shoot the ball and, obviously, I need to shoot the ball.” Despite 37 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks from Anthony Davis, the Pelicans dropped a 101-92 decision at Oklahoma City on Sunday to fall for the fourth time in five games.
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (13-8): Gasol has stepped up his game in the wake of the many injuries – as well as a personal leave for fellow big man Zach Randolph – and a vastly improved perimeter continues to be the driving force. Gasol is 9-of-18 from long range over the course of a five-game stretch during which he is averaging 21.8 points. The native of Spain is shooting 55.8 percent overall during the streak and will be looking to make up for a sluggish effort against the Pelicans earlier this season (eight points, 3-of-18).
ABOUT THE PELICANS (7-14): Davis tied a season high by playing 43 minutes on Sunday and has seen at least 40 minutes of action in four of the last five games. His fellow starters combined to go 10-of-31 against the Thunder while averaging 27 minutes in a relative lack of support for their superstar forward. Rookie Buddy Hield, who has struggled mightily with his 3-point shot for most of the season, hit 4-of-7 on Sunday and scored 15 points in just 16 minutes off the bench.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Memphis has won six straight meetings overall – including an 89-83 triumph on Nov. 2 – and five in a row at home.
2. Hield recorded a season high-tying 18 points in the loss to the Grizzlies last month.
3. Randolph, who has missed six straight contests following the death of his mother, remains stuck on 999 career games.
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