Memphis Grizzlies vs Miami Heat 10/23/19 NBA Betting Odds and Prediction

The Miami Heat opens a new chapter in franchise history when they take on the visiting Memphis Grizzlies on October 23, 2019, at the American Airlines Arena.

The Heat saw their first superstar Dwyane Wade finally hang up his jersey at the end of last season. But as they say, when a door closes a new one opens. Enter Jimmy Butler as the new superstar of the Heat. For the Grizzlies, the Grit and Grind era also officially ended with the trade of Mike Conley Jr. But unlike the Heat, Memphis didn’t sign a star during the offseason and look like they will still be in rebuild mode this season.

End of an Era

After leading the Miami Heat to three NBA titles, the Heat’s original superstar Dwyane Wade finally retired at the end of last season. The Heat barely missed the playoffs last season, finishing two games off the 8th spot with their 39-43 record. As the D-Wade era ends, Miami got themselves a new leading man during the offseason.

Miami added Jimmy Butler from a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers. Although they had to give up last season’s leading scorer Josh Richardson to do so, the deal was worth it because Butler is a proven winner and blue-chip NBA star. Miami also added Meyers Leonard from Portland and drafted the highly touted Tyler Herro with the 13th overall pick of the NBA draft. They lost Hassan Whiteside but Bam Adebayo may be ready to take the starting center spot.

The Heat ranked 26th in the NBA in scoring at 105.7 points per game last season. They were 10th in rebounding at 46.3 boards per contest and 17th in passing at 24.3 assists per game. The Heat allowed their opponents to score 105.9 points per game and that was the second-fewest points allowed in the NBA last season.

Rebuilding Mode

The Memphis Grizzlies went into rebuilding mode when they traded Marc Gasol last season. The Grizzlies furthered their rebuilding by trading away All-Star point guard Mike Conley last summer. By dealing with their two stars, the Grizzlies are now left with center Jonas Valanciunas as their most established player. However, Memphis has plenty of young talent in its roster.

The Grizzlies drafted Ja Morant and Brandon Clarke in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft. They will join the 2018 lottery pick Jaren Jackson Jr., young talents Dillon Brooks, Kyle Anderson, and Grayson Allen. Memphis also acquired veteran Jae Crowder as part of the Conley trade.

Memphis ranked last in the league at 103.5 points per game scored last season. They were 29th in the NBA in rebounding at 41.8 boards per contest and were 19th in passing at 23.9 assists per game. The Grizzlies allowed their opponents to score only 106.8 points per game last season.

Who Wins?

Memphis is 2-4 SU in their last six games played. The Grizzlies are 4-16 SU in their last 20 road games played and 1-7 SU in their last 8 games against the Eastern Conference. Miami is 1-5 SU in their last six games played. The Heat are 3-7 SU in their last 10 games in October and 5-2 SU in their last seven Wednesday games played. Head to head, Miami is 6-4 SU in their last 10 games played and has won the last four meetings between these two teams. The Heat are 5-2 SU in their last five home games against the Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies were in rebuilding mode last season and they never really had a chance at making the playoffs. Memphis broke up the Grit and Grind era a couple of years ago. This summer, the last piece of that team-Mike Conley was shipped out of town. They also lost key players like Avery Bradley, Justin Holiday and Delon Wright. The Grizzlies are the NBA betting underdogs in this matchup.

It’s hard to think of Memphis making a playoff push this year with Jonas Valanciunas as the most established player on the team. Sure, they added Ja Morant and Brandon Clarke from the draft but the team is full of young and inexperienced players. Meanwhile, the Heat added one of the best free agents during the summer in Jimmy Butler. Remember what Butler did to a young Minnesota team led by Karl Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. Before their internal beef, the Wolves were a playoff team.

Butler joins a Heat team that has Dragic, Waiters, Winslow, Olynyk, and Adebayo. Additions like Leonard and Herro make them a more competitive team. Jimmy Butler is a proven leader and winner. Erik Spoelstra knows how to make use of what he has. Now that he has a legit star in Butler, the Heat will be tough to beat. Give me the Heat here.

Prediction: Miami Heat

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Spread Odds Betting

The Grizzlies are 3-1 ATS in their last four games played, 4-2 ATS in their last six games played on the road and 4-1 ATS in their last five games played in October. The Heat are 1-4 ATS in their last five games played. Miami is 4-1-1 ATS in their last six games against the Western Conference and 11-0-1 ATS in their last 12 games against the Southwest Division. Head to head, the Heat are 5-4-1 ATS in their last 10 games played against the Grizzlies and are 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings.

The Heat have outscored the Grizzlies by 3.4 points per game in their last 10 meetings and 11.0 points per game in their last three head to head encounters. The Heat lost Dwyane Wade to retirement during the offseason. But they have a new star in Jimmy Butler. Butler is a proven winner who has delivered in every stop he’s been to. He’s going to deliver a big opening night win for the Heat here. I’ll take the home team and give away the points.

Prediction: Heat -8

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