New York Knicks at Memphis Grizzlies
Thursday, 1/12/12, 8:00 PM EST, TV: TNT
Opening Point Spread: Memphis -2.5
Current Betting Line: Memphis -4.5
Opening Total: 194
Current Total: 194
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
New York has won four consecutive games and its defense should get plenty of the credit, as each game has gone ‘under’ the total in that span. “I’m just excited about the way the defense is playing, because I know coach Mike D’Antoni’s offense, it’s going to get going,” Knicks center Tyson Chandler commented. Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony will be asked to lead the offense in the second game of a back-to-back situation, as he averaged 29.5 points in his two meetings with Memphis in this series a year ago. New York is 8-14 ATS after three or more consecutive ‘unders’ the last two-plus seasons.
The Knicks have been very happy with the recent play of forward Amar’e Stoudemire, who has averaged 23.0 points and 10.8 rebounds in the last five games since missing two with an ankle injury. Chandler will need to up his production on the offensive side, as he grabbed 13 rebounds but failed to make a field goal in over 35 minutes of action last night.
Memphis has dropped its last three games in straight-up and against-the-spread fashion, including a 100-95 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder as 2.5-point home underdogs on Tuesday night. The Grizzlies are waiting for forward Rudy Gay to regain his shooting touch after missing most of the 2010-11 season due to injury, but he’s hitting just 41.1 percent of his shots through nine games. “I’m a fan of Rudy and I just can’t wait for him to get it back going,” commented Grizzlies’ teammate Tony Allen. Memphis is 10-6 ATS after three or more consecutive losses.
The Grizzlies lost both games versus the Knicks a year ago after winning both during the 2009-10 campaign. Memphis will be playing the second of a four-game homestand tonight, as it continues to move ahead without the services of Zach Randolph, who is out with a knee injury. Center Marc Gasol is being asked to pick up his production in the paint, scoring at least 20 points in two of the last three games. He played over 42 minutes versus the Thunder last time out and must stay out of foul trouble for this squad to have a chance.
Bettors will likely back the Grizzlies due to their 14-3 ATS mark as a home favorite of 4.5 points or less, while the Knicks are 2-6 ATS when playing with zero days rest.
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