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Pistons vs. Grizzlies NBA expert prediction, pick and odds for Friday, April 5 (Lay the short number with Memphis)

NBA betting preview, prediction and best bet for Pistons-Grizzlies. 

By Shelby Dermer

Apr 1, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward GG Jackson (45) reacts in the first quarter of a game against the Pistons.
Apr 1, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward GG Jackson (45) reacts in the first quarter of a game against the Pistons. / Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
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The offseason can’t come soon enough for both the Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies heading into the final stretch of the regular season.

Detroit has the NBA’s worst record while Memphis had a season filled with high expectations (preseason win total of 45.5) go south due to injuries. The Grizzlies have won back-to-back games for the second time in a month. Can they make it three straight as a small favorite against the visiting Pistons? Here’s the betting preview of the matchup with a best bet. 

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Pistons vs. Grizzlies odds, spread and total

Pistons vs. Grizzlies how to watch

  • Date: Friday, April 5 
  • Game time: 8 p.m. EST
  • Venue: FedEx Forum 
  • How to watch (TV): Bally Sports
  • Pistons record: 13-63
  • Grizzlies record: 26-50

Pistons vs. Grizzlies injury report

Detroit Pistons

  • Cade Cunningham (knee): out
  • Simone Fontecchio (toe): out
  • Taj Gibson (hamstring): doubtful
  • Quentin Grimes (knee): out
  • Isaiah Stewart (hamstring): out
  • Ausar Thompson (illness): out
  • Stanley Umude (ankle): out 

Memphis Grizzlies

  • Santi Aldama (foot): out
  • Desmond Bane (back): out
  • Brandon Clarke (Achilles): out
  • Jaren Jackson Jr. (quad): out
  • Luke Kennard (knee): doubtful 
  • John Konchar (foot): out
  • Derrick Rose (groin): out
  • Yuta Watanabe (personal): out
  • Vince Williams Jr. (knee): out
  • Ziaire Williams (back): out 

Pistons vs. Grizzlies key players to watch

Detroit Pistons

Malachi Flynn: Where did that come from? The former first-round pick is averaging 5.3 points per game this season but exploded in Wednesday’s road loss to Atlanta with 50 points on 18-of-25 shooting in 34 minutes off the bench. With Detroit’s lengthy injury report, Flynn should have plenty of opportunities on the offensive end Friday night to build off his career performance. 

Memphis Grizzlies

GG Jackson: The former second-round pick turned in a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double to help fuel the Grizzlies’ 111-101 road upset of the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday. With Jaren Jackson Jr. out for Friday, Jackson could have more opportunities on the offensive end against the league’s worst club. 

Pistons vs. Grizzlies prediction and pick

Memphis has won its last two games, but Jaren Jackson Jr. scored a combined 75 points in those matchups and is out against Detroit. Playing without its top scorer over recent action is bad news for a Memphis offense that is already last in the NBA in net rating. 

To win on Friday, Memphis will have to slow down a Detroit offense that plays at a top-10 pace in the NBA. The Grizzlies have been anchored by their defense (No. 11 in net rating) this season and is 10th in the league in points in the paint. 

They’ll face a punchless Detroit offense that is without leading scorer Cade Cunningham and don’t expect Flynn to drop another 50-burger off the bench with a better defense on deck. Memphis just took out Detroit on the road 110-108 earlier this week. 

Despite the Pistons shooting 50.6% from the field, Memphis was able to win the rebounding battle and the Pistons got a big night from Cunningham (36 points), who won’t be on the floor Friday. Lay the short number with Memphis. 

Game odds update periodically and are subject to change.

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