Tip off: 8:35 PM EST
Spread: DAL -6
Total: 185
M/L: DAL -250, MEM +210
Bet at Bookmaker, odds source
Memphis
The Grizzlies were the surprise team of the Western Conference last season, and sit in the fifth seed right now, at 30-22. They would face the Clippers in the first round, which could be the best and most exciting matchup in the West, at least on paper.
Zach Randolph is back and that should pay big dividends. The Grizzlies front court of Rudy Gay/Zach Randolph/Marc Gasol is one of the league’s best, and they’ll give the Mavs all kinds of matchup problems tonight. Look for the Grizz to go to Z Bo early and often, as they try to both wear Dirk Nowtizki out and/or get the German in foul trouble.
Mike Conley has finally begun to impress, and is one of the league’s top steals men, all of which are point guards this year. I never thought he would pan out; I thought his career was based on opportunistic advances, but it turns out maybe that isn’t so bad after all.
Grizzlies Betting Trends:
Memphis is 24-27 ATS in all games this season and 1-5 ATS in a road game when the total is between 185 and 189.5. They are 14-16 ATS in the second half of the season and 12-16 ATS vs teams with winning records.
Dallas
Dallas is 30-24 and sits in the 6th seed. They would face the Lakers in the first round, which of course is not good for the Mavs, at all. The Lakers are a more formidable team with Ramon Sessions and Kobe s still Kobe, of course.
The Mavs are not getting enough from their vets though. No one really expected much from Vince Carter, and they were all right, of course. Lamar Odom has been one of the biggest disappointments of the season and is dropped in all fantasy leagues, for whatever that is worth. Shawn Marion has remained good at least, but is not anywhere near the Matrix Level he was in Phoenix.
The Mavs are going to have to improve their defense, and the NBA oddsmakers were not far off in making Dallas the fourth most favored team going into the season at 7.5/1 to win the title. It was a long shot for a defending champ, but it has turned out to also be a sucker’s bet; afterall, few expected the Mavs to repeat.
Mavs Betting Trends:
The Mavs are 26-27 ATS this season and 15-20 ATS as a favorite They are 12-19 ATS in the second half of the season and 5-4 ATS in the second half of the season and 2-8 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 6 points.
