It’s Zion Williamson vs. Ja Morant this Saturday, as the New Orleans Pelicans and the Memphis Grizzlies emerge from Thanksgiving looking to burn all those turkey calories. Will the Pelicans beat Memphis for the second time this season? Or, will the Grizzlies level things up between them and New Orleans?

Catch this game live on Saturday, November 26, at 9 AM, Manila time

Away: New Orleans Pelicans (11- 7/5-4 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

• PG: Jose Alvarado
• SG: Brandon Ingram
• SF: Herbert Jones
• PF: Zion Williamson
• C: Jonas Valanciunas

The Pelicans had good stories to tell on Thanksgiving after beating the San Antonio Spurs on the road a day before the league-wide break on Friday. New Orleans has actually won a bunch of games of late, going 5-1 straight up in their last six games – a stretch that includes their 113-102 thumping of the Grizzlies back at home on Nov. 16. In that game, CJ McCollum led the Pels with 30 points on 11/23 shooting. McCollum, however, won’t be available this Saturday because of health and safety protocols. 

The good news for New Orleans is that Zion Williamson is healthy enough to face the Grizzlies this time around. He was absent from the first meeting with a foot issue. Williamson is a gravity-defying and gravity-attracting asset for the Pelicans, who can continue their high-scoring ways even without McCollum against Memphis’ defense that is losing its grip of late. The Grizzlies are allowing 113.9 points per game this season but have been worse over their last couple of games during whey they surrendered a total of 240 points. The Pelicans are 5-1 ATS in their last six games overall.

Home: Memphis Grizzlies (10-8/6-2 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

• PG: Ja Morant
• SG: John Konchar (questionable)
• SF: Dillon Brooks
• PF: Jaren Jackson Jr.
• C: Steven Adams

The Grizzlies will look to correct their ways this Saturday. Unlike the Pels, Memphis hasn’t looked right over its last few games. The Grizzlies have lost four of their last five games. Just before Thanksgiving, the Grizzlies got battered by the Sacramento Kings, 113-109, at home on Wednesday. If anything, at least Memphis doesn’t have to hit the road for its rematch against the Pelicans. Not traveling after a holiday might be the seemingly minor advantage that could spell the difference in favor of the Grizzlies, who are averaging 114.1 points per game. Plus, the Grizzlies are 5-1 ATS in their last six games following two days of rest.

Ja Morant fired 36 points in the loss to the Pelicans, while Dillon Brooks and Brandon Clarke combined for 34 points. Jaren Jackson (7 points, 3/15 FG, 0/7 3FGM ) was ice-cold in the loss to the Grizzlies but that was also his season debut. Since then, he’s warmed up well, having scored 25 and 22 in his next two outings, respectively. Jackson will be especially crucial in preventing Williamson from having lots of success in the paint while also helping out in cleaning the glass. The Grizzlies had 14 offensive rebounds to just seven by New Orleans in the first meeting. 

PREDICTIONS:

Spread: The Grizzlies (-2.0) cover the spread.

Over/Under: The total (229.0) hits the Over.