NBA Picks: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Tuesday, 1/14/14, 8:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Oklahoma City -1.5
Current Betting Line: Oklahoma City -1.5
Opening Total: 192
Current Total: 196
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 6-0 SUATS versus Southwest Division opponents

Oklahoma City snapped a two-game losing streak in picking up a 101-85 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks as 15-point home favorites last Saturday, while going UNDER the betting total for a second consecutive contest. The Thunder are 12-6 SU on the road this season, including a 7-6 mark when playing Western Conference opponents, which is important to consider when making your NBA betting picks. Through the first 37 games of the season, the team is 23-3 when out-rebounding opponents, as it paces the league in grabbing 47.0 boards per game. Oklahoma City is 6-0 SUATS versus Southwest division opponents this season.

The Thunder are limiting opponents to the second worst field goal percentage in the league, which can’t be ignored when looking over the NBA betting lines. Oklahoma City will be looking for a big game from forward Kevin Durant, who is pacing the league in averaging 39.6 points per game, but he’s shooting just 41.4 percent from the floor over his last three contests. Point guard Reggie Jackson is also an important piece to the puzzle, as he’s filling in for starter Russell Westbrook.

Memphis has won back-to-back games and covered the number in six consecutive affairs, including a 108-101 victory over the Atlanta Hawks as five-point home favorites Sunday. The Grizzlies are 9-12 SU at the FedExForum this season, including a 5-9 mark versus conference rivals. It’s important to point out that the franchise has played the toughest schedule to date, but it has gone 17-10 against foes outside of the Southwest Division, but it has dropped all nine against its biggest rivals. Memphis 1-5 SU and 2-4 ATS when revenging a home loss versus an opponent.

The Grizzlies have played 15 of their last 23 games without multiple regular starters, while they’ve already missed 61 games due to injury this season. Memphis’ bench is averaging 40.7 points in its last 15 games. Keep an eye on each team’s shooting percentage when watching this game, as Tuesday night’s host is 16-4 SU when finishing with a higher mark in that statistical category, but just 1-15 when failing to accomplish that feat.