NBA Playoff Predictions: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Clippers

Memphis Grizzlies at Los Angeles Clippers
Monday, 4/22/13, 10:30 PM EST, TV: TNT
Opening Point Spread: Los Angeles -5
Current Betting Line: Los Angeles -5.5
Opening Total: 181
Current Total: 181
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Memphis Grizzlies are 2-4 ATS as road underdogs this season

Memphis suffered a 112-91 loss to Los Angeles as 5.5-point road underdogs in Game 1 Saturday, while going well OVER the posted total of 178.5. “They were playing well,” commented Grizzlies guard Tony Allen. “We didn’t play nearly as well as we could play.” The Grizzlies were out-rebounded by a considerable 47-23 margin, including a 14-4 disparity on the offensive glass. Offensively, reserve guard Jerryd Bayless led with 19 points, with center Marc Gasol contributing 16 and a team-high seven rebounds. Memphis is 2-4 ATS as road underdogs of 3.5 to 6 points.

The Grizzlies recorded a winning road record for the first time in franchise history during the regular season, as they finished with a 24-17 mark away from FedExForum. Memphis led the NBA in allowing 89.5 points per game—holding 71 opponents under the century mark. Memphis finished with a slight edge in points in the paint in the series opener, but was outscored by a wide 25-5 margin in second-chance opportunities.

Los Angeles certainly carried over its momentum of winning its last seven regular season games, while the OVER is 6-4 in its last 10 contests. The Clippers were tremendous in the fourth quarter–knocking down 15 of 22 shots. Power forward Blake Griffin finished with just 10 points and five rebounds, but his defensive play on Grizzlies star Zach Randolph didn’t go unnoticed. “It’s my job to keep him off the glass and everyone else rebound,” stated Griffin. Los Angeles is 5-2 ATS as home favorites of 3.5 to 6 points, with the OVER going 7-0 in that situation.

The Clippers had seven players finish with double figures in scoring, with point guard Chris Paul leading the way with 23 points. He has now averaged 21.3 points and 10.9 assists in seven career Game 1’s over the course of his career, with his teams winning five of those affairs. Los Angeles is certainly clicking on all cylinders on the offensive end, considering Memphis had only one game during the regular season in which it allowed as many as 112 points.