Chicago Bulls at Memphis Grizzlies
Monday, 12/17/12, 8:00 PM EST, TV: SPSO
Opening Point Spread: Memphis -6.5
Current Betting Line: Memphis -6.5
Opening Total: 178
Current Total: 179
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Chicago has won back-to-back games, including an 83-82 victory over the Brooklyn Nets as 4.5-point home favorites on Saturday, while going UNDER the total for the third time in four contests. “We played great defense the last three or four minutes,” commented Bulls guard Marco Belinelli. “That’s why we won the game.” The team is 6-3 on the road this season, but has dropped three of four games versus Western Conference opponents. Chicago is 2-4 ATS as a road underdog of 6.5 to 9 points over the last two-plus seasons, which can’t be ignored when making your NBA picks against the spread on Monday night.
The Bulls and Grizzlies have split their last 10 head-to-head contests, but it’s been very one-sided at the FedExForum recently. Chicago has compiled a dismal 2-8 record in its last 10 trips to Memphis, which includes a 102-86 setback as two-point road favorites on Jan. 16 of last season. Bench scoring isn’t one of the team’s strengths, with the reserves averaging just 25.7 points per game.
Memphis returns home after losing two of three games on its recent road trip, but did come away with a 99-86 victory over the Utah Jazz as two-point underdogs on Saturday, while going UNDER the total for a fourth straight game. “We had to get back to what we do, and that’s defensive pressure,” commented Grizzlies guard Mike Conley. The franchise has won 13 of its last 14 games versus Eastern Conference opponents. Memphis is 24-8 ATS off an upset win as an underdog over the last two-plus seasons, with the UNDER going 18-13 in that situation.
The Grizzlies have won 20 of their last 22 home games, while posting a 29-9 mark in their last 38 regular-season games dating back to March 31, 2012. Memphis leads the NBA in allowing just 90.9 points per game, while forcing at least 10 turnovers in 125 consecutive games. Small forward Rudy Gay leads the team in averaging 19.0 points, while Zach Randolph is pitching in with 17.6 points and a career-high 12.6 rebounds per contest.
Sports bettors will likely back the Grizzlies due to the home team covering 17 of the last 23 meetings, while the Bulls are 3-8 ATS on the road in this series.
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