2 min read • April 09, 2022
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Both Brandon Ingram (FD $8,100) and Ja Morant (FD $9,100) are listed as questionable heading into the game for the Pelicans and Grizzlies respectively. Ingram has been laboring in recent weeks due to a hamstring ailment while Morant has been out since March 18th due to a knee issue, although both could suit up in what should shape up into a grueling Western Conference brawl.
Grizzlies SIC Health Score - 85.8
The team from Tennessee has enjoyed a fantastic season this year sitting second overall in the Western Conference at 55-25, a full 4 games above the third place Golden State Warriors. The big question for the Grizzlies heading into the game is the health and possible return of Morant.
The third year All-star guard suffered a knee injury mid-March and is listed as questionable for the first time since the initial injury. Morant has missed 9 straight games and 23 total this season but Memphis has held it down without him posting an astonishing 20-3 record.
Morant will hold an SIC Score of 62 meaning we don’t expect him to play much and there is a huge chance the Grizzlies sit him due to their overall position in the standings.
If he is unable to suit up, PG Tyus Jones (FD $6,300) will start as he had for 8/9 games Morant has missed in March/April. In those games, Jones has averaged 14.3 points, 6.6 assists and 2.8 rebounds which has cushioned the loss of Morant considerably down the stretch.
Another player helping the Grizzlies down the stretch after missing 27 straight games between January 8th and March 13th is defensive wizard Dillion Brooks (FD $5,600). The Oregon alum suffered an ankle sprain but has since returned without missing a beat including chipping in on the offensive end with 18 points per game.
Pelicans SIC Health Score - 83.1
The New Orleans Pelicans have endured a roller coaster type season starting with the Zion Williamson foot injury to the key acquisition of book-smart guard C.J. McCollum (FD $8,300) to now dealing with star forward Brandon Ingrams’s hamstring issue. This has all culminated into a guaranteed spot in the play-in tournament with two games remaining. They will go into this one 5-1 in their last 6 games and playing well heading into the tournament.
The status of Ingram is the main concern for the Pelicans as the hamstring has been a nagging concern for over a month. Including Feb 27th, the Duke alum has played in just 9 of a possible 20 games and missed the Pelican most recent matchup.
If he misses a second straight game, F Herbert Jones (FD $4,700) will again draw the start and could provide value specifically steals where he has averaged 2.7 per game in his last 6 including a six steal game against the Lakers March 27th.
Hulking center Jonas Valanciunas (FD $7,800) has been dealing with an ankle ailment of late but a one game absence was all that was needed as he was able to start in the Pelicans last game providing 14 points and 8 boards. The ankle should only get better and a double-double is easily something the Lithuanian can accomplish this afternoon.
Although both teams are dealing with star play injury issues, the overall squads are rather healthy with just a slight advantage to the Grizzlies if Morant can suit up:
Jonas Valanciunas To Record A Double Double (-155) - The stud center should be fine after ankle ailment and should go back to his usual double double ways
Pelicans +6.5 - Even if Morant suits up, the SIC scores as relatively close and the Pelicans have played well without Ingram, if Ingram plays +6.5 will be a steal
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