The Memphis Grizzlies travel to Chicago on March 16 for a meeting between two teams attempting to steady their seasons late in the schedule. Memphis has struggled to stay competitive in the Western Conference and enters this game well below the play-in line, while Chicago remains in the Eastern Conference play-in conversation and in need of a win. Both teams enter with losing streaks, but one team will come away with a win in this Grizzlies vs Bulls matchup from United Center.
Grizzlies vs Bulls Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Memphis Grizzlies @ Chicago Bulls
- Date & Time: Monday, March 16, 8:00 PM ET
- Venue: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
- Broadcast: NBA League Pass
Key Storylines
- Chicago has lost two straight games going into this matchup, dropping both games of a back-to-back to the Lakers and Clippers on the road. They are back home now and have had multiple days off after those two defeats.
- Memphis has lost seven games in a row, as injuries and a general malaise have prevented Memphis from being the contending team that they were expected to be going into this season.
- Memphis is struggling to protect the rim given all of the upheaval they’ve faced on the interior. Zach Edey is injured, while the team traded perennial Defensive Player of the Year contender Jaren Jackson Jr., making it tough for them to defend the painted area.
Key Players
Chicago Bulls
- Josh Giddey – The versatile guard drives Chicago’s offense. He averages about 17.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game while controlling the tempo and creating scoring opportunities.
- Matas Buzelis – A rising forward who contributes scoring and rim protection, adding around 15 points per contest.
Memphis Grizzlies
- Ty Jerome – With so many key players injured or otherwise unavailable for the Grizzlies, someone has to pick up the scoring slack. Jerome has been one of those players, though he is also questionable to take part in this matchup. If he can play, the Grizzlies will be better for it.
- Cam Spencer – A reliable backcourt option who averages about 11.4 points and 5.5 assists while shooting efficiently.
Stat Comparison
| Stat | Memphis Grizzlies | Chicago Bulls |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 115.7 | 115.7 |
| Points allowed per game | 118.4 | 120.2 |
| Team Field Goal % | 46% | 47% |
| Rebounds per game | 43.6 | 45.1 |
| Assists per game | 28.5 | 28.8 |
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
- This is the first meeting of the season between the Bulls and Grizzlies.
- Chicago is 31-36 against the spread so far this season.
- Memphis enters Monday night with a 31-35 record against the spread.
Grizzlies vs Bulls Pick & Model Projection
- Score Projection: Memphis Grizzlies 112 – Chicago Bulls 121 ATS PRO
- Pick: Chicago Bulls -6.5 ATS PRO
- Confidence: 3 out of 5 ATS PRO
- Win Probability: Memphis Grizzlies 43%, Chicago Bulls 57% ATS PRO
Chicago enters this game with a slight statistical advantage in scoring efficiency and playmaking. The Bulls also benefit from home court, where their offense tends to operate more smoothly. Josh Giddey’s ability to create shots for teammates and control the pace gives Chicago a clear edge in half-court possessions. Memphis has talent capable of keeping the game competitive, but it’s hard for so many of their backups to sustain that level of play without their typical starters available. I’ll lay the points with Chicago in this Monday night NBA matchup.
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