NBA Playoff Predictions 2012: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Memphis Grizzlies, Game 5 Odds

Los Angeles Clippers at Memphis Grizzlies
Wednesday, 5/9/12, 9:30 PM EST, TV: TNT
Opening Point Spread: Memphis -6
Current Betting Line: Memphis -6.5
Opening Total: 183.5
Current Total: 182.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Memphis Grizzlies have actually outscored the Los Angeles Clippers in the first four games of the series

Los Angeles is just a game away from advancing to the second round of the 2012 NBA playoffs, as it defended its home court with a pair of victories at the Staples Center, including a 101-97 win as two-point favorites on Monday night. “The close-out game is the toughest one, especially in their place,” stated Clippers point guard Chris Paul. He is averaging 23.5 points and 8.8 assists in the first four games of this best-of-seven Western Conference series. Los Angeles is 5-7 ATS as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points, while the “under” is 8-5 in those contests.

The Clippers were led by power forward Blake Griffin in their Game 4 victory, as he scored 30 points and added seven assists before ultimately fouling out. It was the first time the franchise had a player score 30-plus points in a playoff game since Elton Brand in 2006. Los Angeles is also getting production out of Caron Butler, who suffered a fractured fifth left metacarpal bone in Game 1, as he managed to score 14 points. It’s also important to note that the bench is outscoring the Grizzlies’ reserves by a slim 116-112 margin in the series.

Memphis could easily be in the position of closing out this series, with the four games decided by 13 points total, including a pair of one-point defeats. “It could be the last game for us,” stated Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley. He has been impressive in the postseason thus far, averaging 17.5 points and 7.5 assists per game, which are both in the top 20 in their respective categories during the playoffs. The Grizzlies have a great opportunity of sending this series back to Southern California, considering they were 26-7 at the FedExForum during the regular season. Memphis is 6-4 ATS as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points.

The Grizzlies are certainly up against it, with only eight teams in NBA Playoffs history coming back from a 3-1 deficit to win a seven-game series. Despite being down 3-1 in this series, Memphis holds a 386-385 edge on the scoreboard after the four contests. It’s important to note that the squad holds a 73.9-to-66.6 scoring average in the first three quarters in this series, but has been outscored by a 26.3-to-20.3 margin in the final 12 minutes.