The NBA season has tipped off with a flurry of overs and high-scoring shootouts. As I look over today’s slate, one total that really stands out comes from this Western Conference matchup — the Memphis Grizzlies heading south to warm and sunny Phoenix to take on the Suns.
At first glance, some of these over numbers look wild. But honestly, the lack of defense across the league has been mind-blowing. Some nights it feels like we’re watching NBA stars running a YMCA pickup game — firing threes from deep with little to no resistance.
Both of these teams fit that script perfectly. They’ve struggled defensively, each sitting in the bottom third of the league in defensive efficiency. While Phoenix hasn’t exactly exploded offensively yet, they’ve still managed to hit over 240.5 points in two of their four games. The Suns return home riding a three-game losing streak and will be eager to light up the scoreboard in front of their fans.
Memphis, on the other hand, has been flying. They’re 4th in pace and averaging 122 points per game (9th overall). Three of their four contests have cleared 240.5, including Monday night’s road game against Golden State.
Sure, scoring across the NBA will likely cool off at some point — but until then, ride the wave. These inflated totals may look intimidating, but given the pace, defensive lapses, and three-point volume from both sides, the number feels justified. Expect plenty of buckets in this one — and don’t be surprised if this total flies way over.
