The NBA dropped the hammer on Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant on Friday, dishing out a 25-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the league. Here's how the NBA betting odds shifted for both the Grizzlies and Morant after the punishment.
Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant has been suspended for 25 games to begin next season, NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced Friday. Morant was seen brandishing a firearm on social media, less than two months after he was given an eight-game suspension in March for a similar transgression.
The Grizzlies will need to go without the former Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player, and one of the league's most high-profile stars, for more than a quarter of the season.
The development comes after Memphis won the Southwest Division and captured the second seed in the Western Conference in 2023. Yet the Los Angeles Lakers upset the Grizzlies during the first round in six games.
How will a lengthier absence for Morant impact the Grizzlies next season?
Here's a look at how the NBA odds for the Grizzlies to win the NBA Finals, win the Western Conference, and for Morant to win NBA MVP have changed, based on our best sports betting apps.
Grizzlies' NBA Finals odds movement
| DraftKings | FanDuel | BetMGM | Caesars | PointsBet | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odds prior to suspension | +2200 | +2500 | +2500 | +2200 | +2500 |
| Odds after suspension | +2200 | +2300 | +2200 | +2200 | +2200 |
Bettors may be surprised to see the Grizzlies' odds to win the NBA Finals either shortened or not moving at all through our best sports betting sites after the announcement of Morant's suspension. That's likely due to the popular belief the star point guard was going to be met with a stiffer punishment.
This is an example of how, much like traditional markets, sportsbooks do react to rumors and assumptions. A lengthier suspension was already baked into the odds, resulting in minimal movement on Friday.
The odds didn't move at all through DraftKings, where the Grizzlies own the 10th-shortest odds to win the title. Memphis joined the L.A. Clippers at +2300 odds to win the championship at FanDuel.
Similar movement took place with the odds for the Grizzlies to come out of the Western Conference.
| DraftKings | FanDuel | BetMGM | Caesars | PointsBet | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Conference odds prior to suspension | +1300 | +1200 | +1400 | +1400 | N/A |
| Odds after suspension | +1300 | +1200 | +1200 | +1400 | N/A |
Now that Memphis knows how long the team will be without its star guard, the club can brace for the absence and attempt to make a run when he returns.
The Grizzlies went 6-3 over the nine games Morant missed in March due to his first suspension. They won the final three contests during his absence and an additional four straight matchups upon his return.
Morant NBA MVP odds movement
| DraftKings | FanDuel | BetMGM | Caesars | PointsBet | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odds prior to suspension | +6000 | N/A | +6600 | +12500 | N/A |
Morant won't be eligible to win any awards as a result of the suspension. Beginning next season, the NBA is mandating that players must appear in at least 65 games to be eligible for individual honors.
Morant was already a +12500 long shot to win regular-season MVP at Caesars. Teammate Jaren Jackson Jr. replaced Morant at those odds after the suspension.
Here are our best NBA betting sites:
- FanDuel: $2,500 No Sweat First Bet | Read our FanDuel Review
- Caesars: Earn Up to a $1,250 Bet Credit | Read our Caesars Review
- DraftKings: Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets | Read our DraftKings Review
- PointsBet: Earn Five Second-Chance Bets Up to $50 Each | Read our PointsBet Review
- BetMGM: Get a Bonus Bet of Up to $1,000 | Read our BetMGM Review
(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.
Related pages
- Best Sports Betting Sites | Best Sportsbook Promos (U.S. only)