NBA Betting Odds and Picks: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Phoenix Suns

Memphis Grizzlies at Phoenix Suns
Sunday, 1/6/13, 8:00 PM EST, TV: FSAZ
Opening Point Spread: Memphis -5
Current Betting Line: Memphis -4.5
Opening Total: 187.5
Current Total: 185
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Memphis Grizzlies are 2-7 ATS as road favorites of 3.5 to 6 points since 2010

Memphis has alternated wins and losses over its last five games, as it suffered an 86-84 setback to the Portland Trail Blazers as eight-point home favorites Friday night, while going UNDER the total for the fourth consecutive time. The Grizzlies are hoping that power forward Zach Randolph will be able to go, as he missed the last game due to flu-like symptoms. He’s averaging 16.7 points and a career-high 12.3 rebounds per game, while pacing the league with 22 double-doubles during the 2012-13 NBA season. Memphis is 2-7 ATS as a road favorite of 3.5 to 6 points, with the UNDER going 7-2 in those contests.

The Grizzlies are 7-6 overall when playing away from the FedExForum, which includes a 4-5 mark versus Western Conference opponents, which is important to consider when making your NBA picks against the spread Sunday. Memphis suffered an 82-80 loss to Phoenix in the last meeting in this series on Dec. 12, as it enters with a dismal 6-28 all-time record when playing in the Grand Canyon State.

Phoenix has dropped seven of its last eight games due to averaging 92.0 points per game in that stretch, which includes an 87-80 setback to the Utah Jazz as 1.5-point home favorites Friday. “We have to do a better job of getting ourselves in position and getting ourselves set,” stated Suns head coach Alvin Gentry about the team’s offense. The Suns are 10-8 at the US Airways Center this year, which includes a 6-4 mark versus conference rivals. Phoenix is 8-16 ATS off an upset loss as a favorite since 2010, something to consider when looking over the pro basketball odds page.

The Suns are dangerous home underdogs in this affair due to the home team winning five-straight games in this series, while they’ve captured 16 of the last 24 meetings overall. Five of the squad’s last seven losses have been by an average of 4.4 points per game. Point guard Goran Dragic is the player to watch offensively, averaging 17.3 points and 8.0 assists in his last four games.