Memphis Grizzlies AT Los Angeles Lakers
January 2nd, 2011 at 9:35 PM EST
Opening Line: L.A. -9
Current Line: L.A. -9
Opening Total: 200.5
Current Total: 199
Opening Moneyline: L.A. -500 / Memphis +400
Current Moneyline:L.A. -550 / Memphis +425
Memphis comes in riding a two game losing streak and are currently 5 games below .500, leaving them sitting 3 games behind 8 seed Portland. They have struggled mightily on the road, winning just 5 of 18 games so far this year. L.A., however, was struggling too, until they just turned and won their last 2 games. They sit at 23-10, six full games behind the Conference leading San Antonio Spurs. Kobe has seemingly emerged from his slump, as he scored 33 last game against Philadelphia, his first 30 point game since December 15th.
Rudy Gay may be out for tonight’s game. He currently is nursing a stomach virus and without Gay it will be up to Zach Randolph and O.J. Mayo to pick up the offensive slack. Marc Gasol is having an underwhelming year, but is still expected to sign a big extention after this season, which has rendered Hasheem Thabeet as trade fodder.
Some betting trends:
Memphis last lost 5 of their last 7 and are 1-4 in their last 5 road games. They have lost 7 of the last 9 against L.A. and the total has gone UNDER IN 5 of their last 7 against L.A. They have also lost 5 of the last 6 road games to the Lakers.
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of the Lakers’ last 22 games and they are 10-4 over their last 14 games. The total has gone UNDER in 6 of the Lakers’ last 8 home games and they have won 20 of their last 25 at the Staples Center. The Lakers are 7-17 ATS in their last 24 against Memphis and they are 4-8 ATS in their last 12 at home against the Grizzlies.
Key Matchups for tonight’s game:
Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol vs. Lamar Odom/Pau Gasol/Andrew Bynum
The Lakers have the advantage down low, but that is nothing new. Marc Gasol will test his wits against his older brother, hoping someday to be the player that Pau is. Zach Randolph went for 27 points and 16 boards last game, but will have a much more difficult time tonight with the Lakers’ size and strength. Odom has moved to the bench but is continuing his strong play and Bynum adds another dimension and factor with his size and length.
OJ Mayo vs Kobe Bryant
While Mayo obviously isn’t 1/10th the player Kobe Bryant is, he’s still pretty decent. He put up a good quest for rookie of the year before losing the award to Derrick Rose and still has a lot to offer teams, many of whom are inquiring about his availibility. Kobe has struggled of late, and was averaging just 18 points over 5 games before scoring 33 last time out. Mayo isn’t a bad defender, but it takes more than decent defense to stop Bryant as we all know, and with Kobe trying to avenage his streak of bad games, expect him to come out firing.
Without Gay, Memphis faces an uphill battle and NBA oddsmakers have taken this into account by setting the line at 9. Memphis isn’t a good road team and the Lakers are usually tough at the Staples Center.
