In today’s SportSense Entertainment Newsletter…

There were no model predictions yesterday, December 25, 2023.

There are nine NBA games scheduled to take place today. Our model’s predictions for today’s matchups can be found below.

Memphis Grizzlies @ New Orleans Pelicans

Model Predicts- Pelicans ML, UNDER 230, Pelicans -4.5

The Memphis Grizzlies will continue their three-game road trip on Tuesday, with the next stop coming in New Orleans, Louisiana to take on the Pelicans.

Memphis enters tonight’s battle with a poor 9-19 record for the season, but is a perfect 3-0 since All-Star guard Ja Morant returned from his suspension. Meanwhile, New Orleans has appeared to be the more well-rounded group, posting a 17-13 record through 30 games.

The Grizzlies look like an entirely new team now that Morant is back, but our model still forecasts the Pelicans to win and cover the spread as a home favorite. Let’s take a look at why that is.

Memphis Grizzlies

• 3-0 in last three games with Morant

  • +7.1 Net Rating- 5th in NBA

  • Offense is carrying load- 120.7 Offensive Rating, shooting 51.7% from field

• Starting to see less defensive production in paint

  • Rank 1st in opponent points per game in paint (43.6). Has risen to 46.7 in last three games

  • Surrendered 58 points in paint in last game against Hawks

• Still dealing with key injuries

  • Derrick Rose and Luke Kennard OUT, Marcus Smart questionable

New Orleans Pelicans

• One of best Defenses in NBA

  • Rank 9th in Defensive Rating (112.7)

  • Opponents shooting 34.4% from three

• Strong scoring presence in paint

  • Rank 9th in points per game in paint (52.7). Rises to 54.5 while playing at home

• Have great scoring depth

  • Eight players average at least 9.3 points per game. Five players with at least 14.7

What’s the Play?

Memphis has been one of the best teams in the NBA as of late, but we agree with our model that New Orleans can win and cover the spread tonight.

One spot that Memphis has lagged behind since Morant’s return has been its scoring depth. Morant provides a much greater scoring punch at the top of the lineup, but the Grizzlies’ bench is averaging just 28.0 points per game since his return to the lineup, making Memphis vulnerable while their star is on the bench.

Additionally, New Orleans has proven it can dominate opponents in the paint, an area that Memphis has started to see less production in. That should enable the Pelicans to score from all levels this evening, putting an end to the Grizzlies’ win streak.

The Play: Pelicans -4.5 (-110)

Money Line Trends 💰

• New Orleans Pelicans- 17-13 overall this season, 9-6 as the home team

• Minnesota Timberwolves- 22-6 overall this season, 8-2 in last 10 games

Over/Under Trends ⬆️⬇️

• Chicago Bulls- Over is 18-13 this season, 9-8 as the home team

• Los Angeles Clippers- Under is 16-12-1 this season, 9-5-1 as the home team

Spread Trends ➕➖

• New Orleans Pelicans- 17-12-1 against the spread (ATS) this season, 5-4 ATS as a home favorite

⭐️ Doncic shines in Christmas Day win over Suns. Luka Doncic dismantled Phoenix's defense with his scoring and playmaking, surpassing 10,000 career points and delivering 15 assists in the Dallas Mavericks' 128-114 victory. The Suns' attempts to contain Doncic backfired as he capitalized on one-on-one coverage and double team. Doncic ended the night scoring 50 points, sinking 8 of 16 three-pointers, and converting all 12 free throws, while his teammates contributed notably, sealing the win despite a late challenge from Phoenix's Grayson Allen and Chimezie Metu off the bench.

🔥 Jaquez leads Heat to win over 76ers. Miami Heat rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. poured in 31 points and a double-double in the Heat's 119-113 win against the Philadelphia 76ers on Christmas Day. Jaquez expressed his excitement for the career-best performance on Christmas, reminiscing about his hard work and dedication to reaching this moment. The win also enabled Heat coach Erik Spoelstra to maintain his undefeated record on Christmas, moving to a perfect 9-0 in his career.

Today’s trivia requires you to dig into multiple pockets of your brain, testing your knowledge of recent events as well as those that happened decades ago.

See how many of the below questions you can get correct. Answers are provided at the end of the newsletter.

Question #1- Who currently leads the NBA in total points scored this season?

Question #2- Randy Moss played collegiate football at what university in West Virginia?

Question #3- Who currently leads the NHL in points this season?

Anyone know what has happened on December 26th throughout history? We didn’t have a clue either, but it appears that it has been a busy day.

On December 26th…

1976- The Oakland Raiders defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship game. Oakland got the scoring going early with a field goal in the first quarter, and would never give up the lead on its way to a 24-7 victory as a four-point underdog. The Raiders would go on to play the Vikings in the Super Bowl, winning by a score of 32-14.

1991- NHL Hall of Famer Joe Mullen scored four goals in his second straight game in a rout of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Mullen and the Penguins took down the Maple Leafs by a score of 12-1, scoring 11 unanswered goals after the game was tied 1-1. NHL legend Mario Lemieux added two goals and five assists in the win.

1992- The San Jose Sharks snap a 13-game losing streak with a 7-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings. San Jose somehow found the win column despite surrendering 59 shots on goal, the most in team history. Sharks goalie Jeff Hacket was the star of the show, making 57 saves in the contest.

1. Luka Doncic

2. Marshall University

3. Nikita Kucherov