NBA Predictions: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Memphis Grizzlies

Philadelphia 76ers at Memphis Grizzlies
Tuesday, 2/21/12, 8:00 PM EST, TV: SSN
Opening Point Spread: Philadelphia PK
Current Betting Line: Philadelphia -1.5
Opening Total: 181.5
Current Total: 181
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Memphis Grizzlies are 21-5-1 ATS when playing on zero days rest

Philadelphia is suffering through a three-game losing streak and has also managed to drop six of seven games against the spread. The 76ers are coming off a disappointing 92-91 loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves as one-point road favorites, while going “under” the total in back-to-back games. “We’ve just got to find a way to regroup and find away to finish these games off,” commented 76ers forward Elton Brand. The team is 7-6 overall on the road, including a 3-3 mark versus Western Conference teams. Philadelphia is 6-9 ATS when playing a winning team this year.

The 76ers were swept in their series with the Grizzlies for the first time since suffering back-to-back sweeps in 2003-04 and 2004-05. Philadelphia has allowed Memphis to score 100-plus points in four of the past five games. Defensively, the team leads the entire NBA in allowing just 87.3 points per game, while sitting fourth in allowing opponents to shoot just 41.8 percent from the floor. On the other side, the 76ers are averaging just 88.1 points over the last seven contests.

Memphis had its four-game win streak snapped in dropping a 97-93 decision to the Houston Rockets as three-point road underdogs last night, while going “over” the total in its fourth straight game. “We played it right to the end,” commented Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins. Forward Rudy Gay has really come on offensively over the last eight games, averaging 21.1 points per game. Memphis is 2-3 ATS as a home underdog of three points or less this season and the “over” is 3-2 in those contests.

The Grizzlies have received a great contribution from backup power forward Marreese Speights, who has been filling in for the injured Zach Randolph, averaging 12.5 points and 10.4 rebounds over the last eight games. Memphis is 12-5 overall at home this season, including a 3-0 mark versus Eastern Conference opponents. Shooting guard O.J. Mayo needs to get things going on the perimeter, as he finished last night with just six points on 3-of-12 shooting, including misses on all six attempts from beyond the arc.