Tip-off: Monday, 8:05 p.m. ET
Line: Memphis -4.0, Total: 185.5

Both the Grizzlies and Bulls will be trying to get back into the win column when the teams meet in Chicago on Monday.

The Grizzlies went into New Orleans on Saturday and lost 95-89 as 1.5-point road ‘dogs. Memphis has not played well on the defensive end recently, allowing its opponents to shoot 45% or better from the field in six of its past seven games. The Grizzlies are just 3-4 SU and 1-6 ATS in those contests. The Bulls, meanwhile, have lost both SU and ATS in two straight games after a 116-105 loss in San Antonio as 10-point road underdogs on Sunday. Chicago turned the ball over 20 times against the Spurs and that type of performance will not give the team a chance to win against Memphis. These teams last met on Dec. 19, 2014, when the Bulls beat the Grizzlies 103-97 as 6.5-point road underdogs. The Grizzlies have, however, had success in the United Center recently. Memphis has now won-and-covered in its past two trips to Chicago and both of those games went Under the total. This Bulls team is 0-9 ATS in home games after playing three consecutive games as an underdog over the past three seasons. The Bulls are, however, 13-3 ATS after two straight games making 85% of their free throws or better over the past three seasons. They are also up against a Memphis team that is 17-38 ATS after two straight games committing 14 or less turnovers over the past two seasons. The Grizzlies aren’t currently dealing with any injuries and the Bulls are without SG Jimmy Butler (Elbow), PG Derrick Rose (Knee) and PF Taj Gibson (Knee) indefinitely.

Can the Grizzlies turn things around with a victory in Chicago Monday? For the answer, connect to The Platinum Sheet for all the Expert picks throughout the entire 2014-15 season. StatFox Forecaster has a strong 55% ATS record (167-136-1) in featured games this season. In terms of Best Bets, the experts have a huge 60% ATS (85-57) record since Feb. 1, led by StatFox Brian who has a stellar 61% ATS (30-19) mark in Best Bets since Dec. 31, and is now 57% ATS (54-41) in season Best Bets. StatFox Scott is also sizzling with a 62% ATS record (34-21) in Best Bets since Dec. 21, improving his record to 56% ATS (53-42) for the season. StatFox Gary is also hot with a 58% ATS (28-20) mark in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 1, and is 56% ATS (53-42) this season. StatFox Zach is a robust 65% ATS (31-17) in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 2, while StatFox Dave is a red-hot 66% ATS (19-10) in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 28.

The Grizzlies are allowing just 95.6 PPG (1st in NBA), but the team has struggled defensively recently. They’ll need to pick it up in order to prevent themselves from slipping in the standings. SF Jeff Green (15.3 PPG, 4.1 RPG) had 20 points in 36 minutes against the Pelicans on Saturday. It was his second 20-point game with Memphis and the team needs him to continue being aggressive moving forward. C Marc Gasol (18.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.7 BPG) really struggled against New Orleans. In 35 minutes, the big man had just eight points to go along with seven boards, six assists, five blocks and three steals. While Gasol did fill up the stat sheet, his team needs him to score more. He had just 13 points in his first meeting with Chicago this season and must do better against this tough Bulls frontcourt. PG Mike Conley (16.4 PPG, 5.3 APG, 3.2 RPG, 1.2 SPG) had 21 points the last time he faced the Bulls, but he only had two assists in that game. Conley must do a better job of getting his teammates involved in this meeting. He’s going to be up against a Bulls team that is depleted at the point guard position and he should be able to have his way Monday. PF Zach Randolph (16.4 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 1.0 SPG) had eight points and 12 rebounds the last time he faced the Bulls. Randolph will need to get himself going in this game. He had just seven points in the loss to the Pelicans and his team is relying on him to score at least 15 points per night.

The Bulls have looked lousy in their past two games and with injuries tearing apart their roster, PF Pau Gasol (18.3 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 2.7 APG, 2.0 BPG) is being counted on to produce on a nightly basis. Gasol played well against the Spurs, finishing with 23 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks in 33 minutes. He struggled the last time he faced Memphis though, scoring just six points in 32 minutes. If Gasol can’t improve his scoring in this meeting with his brother’s team then the Bulls will have trouble winning this one at home. C Joakim Noah (7.7 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.3 BPG) had 10 points, 13 rebounds and a block the last time he faced the Grizzlies. His intensity on both ends of the floor gave Marc Gasol a lot of problems and he’ll need to do his best to get in the All-Star’s head once again. Noah has taken over as the Bulls’ primary playmaker recently as well, averaging 8.0 APG over the past five games. He is the best passer on this team and will need to continue to get his teammates the ball until PG Derrick Rose (18.4 PPG, 5.0 APG, 3.1 RPG, 1.3 SPG) returns. PG Aaron Brooks (10.8 PPG, 2.9 APG) is Rose’s placeholder at the point guard position, but Brooks is a scorer and not a passer. He had 22 points in 26 minutes in a loss to the Spurs last game, but he has just five assists in his past two games. Brooks will need to keep knocking down outside shots (40% 3PT) and attacking the basket in order to create some room for his teammates. SG Tony Snell (5.5 PPG, 2.1 RPG) is an x-factor for the Bulls while the team deals with injuries. Snell is a good shooter (39% 3PT) and is capable of putting up decent numbers, but he’s averaging just 4.0 PPG over the past three contests and must gain some confidence back on Monday.