Memphis Grizzlies at Oklahoma City Thunder
Wednesday, 11/14/12, 8:00 PM EST, TV: ESPN
Opening Point Spread: Oklahoma City -6.5
Current Betting Line: Oklahoma City -5.5
Opening Total: 195
Current Total: 194
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Memphis has won five games in a row since suffering a season-opening loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, as it comes off a 104-86 victory over the Miami Heat as 1.5-point home underdogs, while going UNDER the total for a third consecutive game. “It was a great team game,” stated coach Lionel Hollins. “We played outstanding basketball.” The Grizzlies are surrendering just 89.8 points on 41.3 percent shooting during their current win streak. Memphis is 7-1 ATS off an upset win as a home underdog over the last two-plus seasons, something to consider when making your NBA picks against the spread on Wednesday night.
The Grizzlies are a dangerous team in the Western Conference due to the reemergence of power forward Zach Randolph, who is averaging 16.2 points and an NBA-high 14.5 rebounds following an injury-marred season of a year ago. Memphis owns the highest point differential in the West and the second-highest in the NBA behind the New York Knicks. Center Marc Gasol has made his presence felt in this high-profile series, averaging 18.3 points and 10.5 rebounds last season.
Oklahoma City enters with a five-game winning streak of its own, coming off a 92-90 win over the Detroit Pistons as 6.5-point road favorites, while going UNDER the total for the fourth time in five contests. “We always play hard until the end,” commented Thunder coach Scott Brooks about his team’s effort. The Thunder have outscored their opponents by an average margin of 10.8 points per game during their streak, but could fall flat in playing their fifth game in seven nights in this affair. Oklahoma City is 11-6 ATS as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points, which is important when looking at the pro basketball odds page.
The Thunder are allowing the eighth fewest points in the NBA this season, while holding their opponent to the third worst field goal percentage. Oklahoma is once against leading all teams by shooting 84.7 percent from the free throw line, which is up from its 80.6 percent mark of a year ago. Forward Kevin Durant is the player to watch on the offensive end, considering he’s averaged 28.8 points over his last 21 meetings with the Grizzlies.
Sports bettors will likely back the Grizzlies due to the road team covering the last four meetings in this series, while the Thunder are 3-8 ATS off a road win of three or fewer points.
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