New York Knicks at Memphis Grizzlies 10/19/22 - NBA Picks & Predictions

The New York Knicks visit FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee on Wednesday to play the Memphis Grizzlies in the opening game of the NBA regular season for both. New York finished 11th in the Eastern Conference at 37-45 and missed out on the postseason. New York was 17-24 at home and 20-21 on the road. The Knicks finished six games behind Charlotte, who earned the 10th and final playoff spot in the East.

New York will once again be led by RJ Barrett, Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson but the core of talent for New York was increased when the Knicks acquired Jalen Brunson in free agency from Dallas. Brunson was the second-leading scorer last season for the Mavericks. Julius Randle struggled last season down the stretch and the Knicks need their forward to return to his 2020-21 form when he led the team in scoring, rebounding and assists. RJ Barrett signed a contract extension with New York and will be the court general while also being one of the top three scorers. 

Memphis is coming off a very strong season in which the Grizzlies finished second in the Western Conference at 56-26, eight games behind the Phoenix Suns. Memphis was 30-11 at home and 26-15 on the road. Memphis was eliminated by the eventual NBA champion Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference semifinals last season and are once again expected to be one of the contenders in the conference this season.

A group of young talented players for Memphis is led by Ja Morant and Desmond Bane. Jaren Jackson Jr, Dillon Brooks and Brandon Clarke complete the core of young talent for the Grizzlies. Memphis traded away De'Anthony Melton but received a draft pick and selected David Roddy. Memphis is expecting more production out of Ziaire Williams, who was a rookie last season. Brooks scored well when Morant was out injured for a long stretch last season, and Memphis will need that again in 2022-23.