Memphis Grizzlies at Utah Jazz
Saturday, 3/16/13, 10:00 PM EST, TV: NBATV
Opening Point Spread: Utah PK
Current Betting Line: Utah -3
Opening Total: 185
Current Total: 183.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Memphis had its six-game winning streak snapped last time out, as it suffered an 87-80 setback to the Denver Nuggets as 5.5-point road underdogs Friday night, while going UNDER the total for the third time in four contests. The Grizzlies are now just percentage points ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers and one-half game ahead of the Nuggets for the third seed in the Western Conference. “We understand where the standings are at,” commented Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley. Memphis is 39-15 ATS when playing on back-to-back days the last two-plus seasons, which can’t be ignored when making your NBA picks against the spread.
The Grizzlies are 19-12 overall on the road this season, including an even 9-9 mark versus Western Conference foes. Memphis is 11-2 since the All-Star break with its only losses coming on the road to the two NBA teams with better post-All-Star records. The franchise has never finished a season with a winning record away from home, but currently possess the league’s second-best road record.
Utah has dropped five of its last six game, including a 110-87 blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder as 13.5-point road underdogs Wednesday night, while going UNDER the total for a second consecutive contest. “We’re trying to get in the playoffs and we can’t have games like this,” commented Jazz guard Gordon Hayward. The Jazz are 23-8 overall at home, including a 14-5 mark versus conference opponents. Utah is 19-20 ATS in March the last two-plus seasons, with the OVER going 22-17 in that situation.
The Jazz have won nine of their last 10 home games against the Grizzlies, as they’ll need to come out of the break with some energy. Utah has been outscored by a 55-28 margin in the third quarter in a pair of losses versus Memphis this season, which can’t be ignored when looking over the NBA betting lines. Center Al Jefferson is the player to watch on the offensive end, as he led the team in scoring in all three series meetings during the 2011-12 pro basketball campaign.
Sports bettors will likely back the Jazz due to their 11-5 ATS mark at home versus teams with a winning road record, while the Grizzlies are 6-13 ATS in the last 19 meetings in this series.
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