New Orleans Pelicans vs. Memphis Grizzlies Picks and Prediction, Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Use Code WWWC The NBA season is finally back and we have a New Orleans Pelicans vs. Memphis Grizzlies showdown in the Western Conference in this Pelicans vs. Grizzlies prediction. These teams met four times last season, with Memphis completing the sweep by winning all four. New Orleans finished their injury riddled season ranked 14th in the West after finishing only 21-61 on the year. Memphis made the play-in tournament as the 8-seed and advanced to play the 1-seed Thunder, but got swept in four games. Tipoff is set for 8:00 EST. Keep reading to see our Pelicans vs. Grizzlies prediction, and start the season off right with our NBA Picks!
New Orleans Hopes to Remain Healthy
The New Orleans Pelicans fought their way through injuries all season, as four of their top star players missed as least 25 games. Zion Williamson (52 missed games), Dejounte Murray (51), Trey Murphy III (29) and CJ McCollum (26) all missed significant time, not to mention the team traded away Brandon Ingram to Toronto in the middle of the year. The team made subtle changes in the offseason. They traded away CJ McCollum, and Dejounte Murray is still with the team, but is still recovering from his torn Achilles, which he suffered in January.
Zion Williamson's stock has risen and fallen multiple times throughout his career, but keep in mind he is still only 25, and reportedly lost a lot of weight in the offseason. Zion was an All-Star in 2021 and 2023, but injuries and weight issues have slowed his career. He puts up numbers when he is healthy, averaging 24.7 PPG and 6.6 RPG throughout his career. Head Coach Willie Green has options in the starting lineup; he can go big with Yves Missi at the five, or start Zion as their center with Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III filling the forward slots.
Murphy will likely see the starting lineup no matter how it shakes out, as the 6'8 25-year-old continues to improve and can score inside or out. Jordan Poole joined the team in the offseason after scoring 20.5 PPG with the Wizards last year. Rookie Jeremiah Fears may be thrust into playing time early with Murray still injured. Fears was the number seven overall pick as a freshman coming out of Oklahoma.
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Injury Report:
Questionable: Derik Queen, Karlo Matkovic
Out: Dejounte Murray, Kevon Looney
Grizzlies Build Around Their Two Stars
The Memphis Grizzlies had an underwhelming season last year and were eventually swept out of the First Round by the eventual champions, as the Thunder easily took care of them. The Grizzlies made a change as they sent Desmond Bane to Orlando, getting back several picks and a couple of veterans, including Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The Grizz will now ride with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. as their star tandem, and need to see even more development from their young stars if they hope to finish better than last season's team.
Ja Morant needs to stay on the court if he is going to be the leader of the franchise. He has battled injuries and suspensions, which led to him only playing a combined 59 games over the last two seasons. He is still productive when he is out there, as he averaged 23.2 PPG and 7.3 APG, but will need to improve his outside shot as he continues to age. He only shot 30.9% from deep last season. Jackson is much bigger and a better outside shooter, as he finished last season at 37.5% from deep. He continues to improve his offensive game, but his biggest strength is his defense; he was Defensive Player of the Year in 2023.
The Grizzlies will be without three rotational players on opening day, as Zach Edey (ankle), Brandon Clarke (knee), Ty Jerome (calf) and Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe) will all be out. Morant is also dealing with day-to-day injury, but is expected to play. Jerome was the backup in Cleveland last season, but showed real promise and will be part of the rotation this season. Santi Aldama and Jaylen Wells play heavy minutes on opening night.
Injury Report:
Questionable: Ja Morant, Ty Jerome
Out: Zach Edey, Scotty Pippen Jr., Brandon Clarke
Pelicans vs. Grizzlies picks
Spread pick and prediction for Pelicans vs. Grizzlies
- Grizzlies -4.5 (5 units)
The money has moved this line toward Memphis, as they opened at 3.5 point favorites but have already been bumped up a point. The Pelicans have Zion, but the impact that CJ McCollum had on this team cannot be overlooked. McCollum was their top ballhandler, outside shooter and playmaker. These are things vital to Zion's success because if the other team packs the paint against the big man, it will make it difficult for him to score. The Pelicans are sending out Jordan Poole as the replacement, but he has to prove he is not a cancer to the team after an uneventful exit in Golden State and a rocky tenure in Washington. It will not click fast enough for New Orleans, while Morant and JJJ are used to playing together and will put up big numbers here. Too many moving pieces on the Pelicans to trust, the Grizzlies will open with a win at home.
Take the Grizzlies to win and cover.
Over/Under Pick for Pelicans vs. Grizzlies
- Over 236.5 (4 units)
Neither of these teams was a defensive juggernaut last season, and even if Jaren Jackson Jr. is a plus defender, most of the players on these rosters are not. There will not be much pressure in the backcourt either way. Jordan Poole is more of a scorer than a defender, and Ja Morant exerts the majority of his effort on the offensive side as well. There are excellent defensive players on the sidelines for this one, including big man Zach Edey and ball hawk Dejounte Murray. These teams have been practicing all fall, and will be ready to show off their new offensive sets they have been saving for the season. Last season, Memphis ranked first in pace of play and that shouldn't change very much as long as Morant is on the floor. This will be a fast-paced game with not much defense.
Take the over.
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