Miami Heat vs Memphis Grizzlies Preseason Game Prediction and Preview

The Miami Heat vs Memphis Grizzlies matchup is one of the seven games scheduled for the final day of NBA preseason on Friday. This will be both teams’ fifth game and they have identical 3-1 records.

The two teams have faced each other 55 times in the regular season, with Miami holding a 30-25 lead. The two teams met twice last season and split the series 1-1.

Miami Heat vs Memphis Grizzlies game details and odds

The Miami Heat vs Memphis Grizzlies game is scheduled for 8 p.m. EDT on Friday, Oct. 18, at FedExForum. The game will be broadcast locally on Bally Sports SE-MEM and Bally Sports Sun. It can also be streamed live on NBA League Pass and FuboTV.

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Moneyline: Heat (+300) vs. Grizzlies (-380)

Spread: Heat (+8.5) vs. Grizzlies (-8.5)

Total (O/U): Heat -110 (o223.5) vs. Grizzlies -110 (u223.5)

Editor's note: The odds could change close to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.

Miami Heat vs Memphis Grizzlies preview

The Heat are coming off of a 120-111 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday. Jimmy Butler led the team with 24 points, while Tyler Herro had 19 points. Miami also got wins against the New Orleans Pelicans and San Antonio Spurs. Its only loss came against the Charlotte Hornets in the first preseason game. The Heat start their regular season on Wednesday against the Orlando Magic.

The Grizzlies have won three games so far. Their only loss came against the Hornets on Oct. 10. Memphis beat the Indiana Pacers 120-116 on Monday. Desmond Bane led the team with 23 points in 22 minutes. Memphis opens the regular season on Wednesday versus the Utah Jazz.

Miami Heat vs Memphis Grizzlies predicted starting lineups

The Heat are resting their regular rotation on Friday. This includes Butler, Herro, Alec Burks, Kevin Love, Duncan Robinson, Terry Rozier and Bam Adebayo. Josh Richardson is out as well with a shoulder injury. Miami coach Erik Spoelstra should start:

PG: Pelle Larsson SG: Nassir Little SF: Jaime Jaquez Jr. PF: Nikola Jovic C: Thomas Bryant

The Grizzlies will be without Jaren Jackson Jr. (hamstring), Vince Williams Jr. (stress reaction in upper tibia), Cam Spencer (ankle sprain) and GG Jackson II (right foot). Ja Morant (ankle) and Marcus Smart (undisclosed) are expected to play. Luke Kennard is day-to-day with foot soreness. Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins should start:

PG: Ja Morant SG: Marcus Smart SF: Desmond Bane PF: Santi Aldama C: Zach Edey

Editor's note: These are the predicted lineups and could change based on the availability of players.

Miami Heat vs Memphis Grizzlies prediction

With Miami resting all its starters, the Grizzlies should get an easy win. This will be a good contest for Morant to check where his recovery from ankle injury stands as he makes a comeback after missing the past three games. Expect Memphis to cover the spread for a win. This should be a high-scoring game with the team total going past 223.5 points.

About the author

Rajdeep Barman is a U.S. Sports Editor at Sportskeeda and occasionally writes about basketball. He studied journalism at Mizzou, and prior to working at Sportskeeda, he spent 2.5 years at the Columbia Missourian in the U.S.

He worked as an Assistant Sports Editor and helped cover Mizzou Athletics and local high school sports. There, he formed close professional and personal bonds with The Denver Post's Bennett Durando, OKC Thunder beat writer Joel Lorenzi and Alabama beat writer Nick Kelly.

Rajdeep's interest in the NBA stems from his love for the Golden State Warriors and his appreciation of the team's distinctive playing style, heavily influenced by coach Steve Kerr's inspiration from Barcelona's Tiki-Taka. For Rajdeep, basketball is a platform that fosters community and brings people together.

Rajdeep stays in constant touch with some of the best beat writers in the NBA, which helps him learn and stay closer to the news. Being trained in the AP Handbook, he ensures highest levels of relevance, accuracy and ethics in his content.

When not working for Sportskeeda, he likes to travel, take quizzes and spend time with his partner.

Know More

Miami Heat Nation! You can check out the latest Miami Heat Schedule and dive into the Heat Depth Chart for NBA Season 2024-25.