The Memphis Grizzlies will be starting a three-game road trip this Sunday against the Orlando Magic, who are looking to stop their bleeding.  Will the Grizzlies sweep Orlando in the 2023-24 NBA regular season? Or, will the Magic pull a win out of their hat to get back to their winning ways?

Catch this game live on Sunday, March 31, 2024 at 7 AM, Manila time

Away: Memphis Grizzlies (24-49, 16-21 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

• Scotty Pippen Jr.
• Luke Kennard
• GG Jackson
• Santi Aldama (Doubtful)
• Jaren Jackson Jr.

The Grizzlies are already eliminated from contention for a Play-in Tournament spot. In other words, they are practically playing meaningless games, but there’s got to be pride left in this team that lost to the Los Angeles Lakers last Thursday, 136-124. Plus, there’s good motivation for the Grizzlies to beat Magic, and that’s the chance to complete a regular-season sweep. Memphis beat the Magic at home back in January, 107-106, with Jaren Jackson Jr. leading the way for the Grizzlies. Jackson had 30 points with eight rebounds and two assists plus a steal and a block in 35 minutes. 

The Grizzlies also have a win streak going on in the all-time series. Memphis has won all of its last five meetings with the Magic, dating back to the 2021-22 NBA regular season. The Grizzlies also went 4-1 against the spread in those contests. Memphis could be catching the Magic at the right time as well, with Orlando dropping all of its last three outings.

Home: Orlando Magic (42-31, 25-12 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

• Jalen Suggs
• Gary Harris
• Franz Wagner
• Paolo Banchero
• Wendell Carter Jr.

Orlando is inside the top six in the Eastern Conference standings, but the Magic are far from safe. They are not helping their cause with the skid they’re having. As mentioned earlier, the Magic are 0-3 in their last three outings, including a 100-97 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers at home on Saturday. Before that, the Magic lost to the Sacramento Kings and the Golden State Warriors. Those are quality teams the Magic lost to, so taking on a lowly Memphis squad could just be what the doctor ordered for Orlando, which is 6-4 straight up and 6-4 against the spread in its last 10 games as the home team.

Orlando is hoping that its offense will get better this Sunday after averaging just 99.0 points on 44.8 FG% in its last three outings. The Magic don’t have to put up historic numbers on offense against the Grizzlies, who are last in the league with just 106.1 points per game. They will just have to make sure their defense will not be embarrassed by Memphis’ anemic offense. On the season, the Magic are third overall with just 108.7 points allowed per outing.

Picks

Spread: Memphis Grizzlies  (-13.0)

Over/Under: Under (207.5)