New Orleans VS Memphis Preview
When New Orleans travels to FedExForum in Memphis, TN on January 24, 2026 at 8:00 PM EST, they walk into a furnace. The Grizzlies are rolling, home court is hostile, and this matchup has developed a familiar rhythm over recent seasons. Expect intensity from the opening tip, with Memphis looking to impose their will early and New Orleans searching for composure after an emotionally draining overtime victory.
The Pelicans arrive off a 123 to 119 overtime win against Utah, with CJ McCollum pouring in 45 points to drag them across the line. Meanwhile, Memphis rides a five game winning streak, most recently dismantling Charlotte 132 to 120. The emotional and physical contrast matters here. One team is riding confidence and rhythm, the other is road weary and potentially depleted after an extended battle.
This New Orleans VS Memphis game preview centers on whether the Pelicans can match Memphis’ pace and home court energy. The New Orleans VS Memphis betting odds reflect a Grizzlies team installed as heavy favorites, with an 85% implied win probability at a moneyline of 556. That’s the market telling you Memphis should control this wire to wire, barring something unexpected.
Key Factors for New Orleans VS Memphis
The Grizzlies’ five game streak isn’t just about wins, it’s about how they’re winning. They’re averaging 123.4 points per game over their last 10 contests, moving the ball with purpose and finding open looks consistently. Memphis plays with a tempo that wears opponents down, especially at home where the crowd amplifies every defensive stop and transition opportunity.
New Orleans enters with four wins in their last five games, but context matters. That Utah win required overtime and leaned heavily on McCollum’s heroics. On the road, the Pelicans have struggled shooting just 73% from the free throw line, a sign of either fatigue or lack of composure in hostile environments. Memphis has won the last two meetings and leads the head to head six of the last 10, establishing a psychological edge.
This New Orleans VS Memphis betting forecast hinges on Memphis’ ability to exploit New Orleans’ road weaknesses. The New Orleans VS Memphis prediction leans toward the home side because the Grizzlies have covered the spread in seven of their last 10 home contests, showing they not only win at FedExForum but dominate convincingly.
Recent Trends for New Orleans VS Memphis
Pattern recognition tells you plenty about this matchup. The last four home games between these teams have stayed under the total, suggesting a defensive intensity and pace control when Memphis hosts. Even with both teams capable of scoring, something about this specific venue pairing produces tighter, grindier basketball than you might expect.
Memphis has been exceptional at covering spreads at home, going seven of 10 recently, while New Orleans battles inconsistency on the road. The Pelicans’ poor free throw shooting away from home becomes magnified in close situations, and their tendency to rely on individual brilliance rather than systematic execution makes them vulnerable against disciplined home teams like the Grizzlies.
These New Orleans VS Memphis matchup trends reveal a clear narrative: Memphis owns this building against New Orleans. The New Orleans VS Memphis betting insights suggest fading the visitor, especially considering the emotional carryover from overtime and the physical demands of playing in Tennessee against a team hitting their stride.
Our Prediction is Memphis Grizzlies 11
The spread reflects reality here. Memphis at home with momentum against a road weary New Orleans squad creates a clear mismatch in situational advantage. The Grizzlies don’t just win at FedExForum, they impose their style, controlling tempo and turning defensive stops into easy transition buckets. New Orleans will need another superhuman performance from McCollum just to keep this competitive.
The five game winning streak for Memphis isn’t fluky. They’re averaging over 123 points per game, which means they’re not grinding out close victories but pulling away decisively. New Orleans’ 73% road free throw shooting becomes a liability in crunch time, and their reliance on individual shot creation struggles against Memphis’ team defense and length.
We believe the outcome of the match will be Memphis Grizzlies 11. The home side covers by controlling pace, defending with discipline, and exploiting New Orleans’ road fatigue. This line accounts for reality: Memphis is the better team right now, playing at home, against an opponent on the back end of travel.
The betting relevance centers on Memphis’ home dominance and form trajectory. With the Grizzlies covering seven of 10 home spreads and New Orleans showing vulnerability in hostile environments, this represents a clear edge. The New Orleans VS Memphis matchup favors the home side decisively, making this one of the sharper New Orleans VS Memphis betting picks on the slate.
