NBA Playoffs 2012: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Clippers, Game 6 Odds

Memphis Grizzlies at Los Angeles Clippers
Friday, 5/11/12, 9:00 PM EST, TV: ESPN
Opening Point Spread: Los Angeles -1.5
Current Betting Line: Memphis -1.5
Opening Total: 181.5
Current Total: 178.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Los Angeles Clippers F Blake Griffin is dealing with a left knee injury heading into Game 6

Memphis will stare elimination in the face in playing Game 6 of its first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center, but is coming off a decisive 92-80 win as 6.5-point home favorites on Wednesday night. The Grizzlies will need to bring the same defensive intensity that it played with in Game 5, limiting the Clippers to just 37.1 percent shooting, which was far different than the 49.5 percent their opponent shot in the first four games. Memphis is 14-20 ATS on the road and the “under” is 24-11 in that situation.

The Grizzlies are being led offensively by forward Rudy Gay, who is averaging a team-high 20.2 points in this series. Memphis may be down 3-2 in this series, but still holds a 478-465 overall advantage on the scoreboard in the five contests. Getting off to a quick start is essential in forcing this postseason series to the limit, as the squad managed to tie the franchise record in scoring 36 first-quarter points in a playoff game in Game 5.

Los Angeles has a banged-up roster as it looks to advance to the second round of the 2012 NBA playoffs, as Blake Griffin and Chris Paul are both listed as questionable with knee and groin injuries respectively for tonight’s contest. “I’ll be ready,” commented Paul on Thursday. Griffin will likely join him after finding out that there was no structural damage to his left knee after undergoing an MRI. There’s no doubt that the home crowd will need to be a sixth man on the court, as the franchise looks to win a postseason series for the first time since 2006. Los Angeles is 18-17 ATS at home and the “over” is 26-9 in that situation.

The Clippers are being led by Paul’s 22.6-point scoring average in this series, with Griffin closely behind in averaging 20.2 points in his first-ever experience in the NBA playoffs. In franchise history, Los Angeles is 2-2 in Game 6, picking up a 118-106 win over the Phoenix Suns on May 18, 2006, in its last try. Despite all the obstacles, the squad should have confidence in closing things out, considering its won all four games (including the postseason) against Memphis inside tonight’s venue.