NBA Picks: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies

Oklahoma City Thunder at Memphis Grizzlies
Wednesday, 12/28/11, 8:00 PM EST, TV: NBA TV
Opening Point Spread: Oklahoma City -1
Current Betting Line: Oklahoma City -1.5
Opening Total: 195
Current Total: 193.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Memphis Grizzlies are a dangerous home underdog Wednesday night

Oklahoma City has opened up the 2011-12 season with a pair of victories that includes a 104-100 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves as five-point road favorites. The Thunder have gone ‘under’ the posted total in both of their contests thus far. All eyes will be on star forward Kevin Durant, who is considered to be the best scorer in the league. “Durant is a special player, one of the best players in the NBA,” commented Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph. Oklahoma City is 8-5 ATS as a road favorite of three points or less the last two-plus years.

The Thunder have started a season 2-0 for the third consecutive year, as they get ready to face a revenge-minded Memphis Grizzlies team that they knocked out of the playoffs a year ago. Oklahoma City’s dynamic duo of Durant and point guard Russell Westbrook combined to score 49.6 points per game last season, finishing second only to Miami’s combination of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Taking advantage of opportunities from the free throw line is one of the team’s greatest strengths, shooting a league-best 82.3 percent a year ago.

Memphis was handed a 95-82 loss in its season opener at San Antonio, as the team dropped to 0-11 in such contests since moving to the city. “We didn’t play very well,” commented Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins. “We turned the ball over 24 times and we didn’t guard.” Star forward Zach Randolph will look to bounce back from a mediocre performance, scoring just 10 points and grabbing six rebounds in the opener. He finished the 2010-11 campaign by averaging 20.1 points and 12.2 boards. Memphis is 6-7 ATS as a home underdog of three points or less the last two-plus years.

The Grizzlies have captured five of their last six home games in this particular series, as the only loss came in triple overtime. Memphis was certainly happy to see Rudy Gay back on the court, as he seems fully recovered from last year’s shoulder surgery. He managed to score 19 points and pulled down 10 rebounds against the Spurs. “I’m hungrier than ever,” Gay stated after the game. “I’m just trying to be athletic.”