Pro Basketball Odds and Predictions: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Dallas Mavericks

Memphis Grizzlies at Dallas Mavericks
Monday, 4/15/13, 8:00 PM EST, TV: NBATV
Opening Point Spread: Memphis -4
Current Betting Line: Memphis -4
Opening Total: 185
Current Total: 185.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Dallas Mavericks have a .500 record for the first time since Dec. 12

Memphis had its three-game winning streak snapped last time out, as it suffered a 91-87 defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers last Saturday, while going UNDER the total for an eighth consecutive contest. The Grizzlies currently occupy the No. 5 spot in the Western Conference standings, but they still have the opportunity of moving up in hopes of enjoying a home-court advantage in the upcoming first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs. Memphis is 5-2 SU and 4-3 ATS as road favorites of 3.5 to 6 points, with the OVER going 4-3 in that situation.

The Grizzlies are 23-17 overall away from the FedExForum, including a 13-12 mark versus conference rivals. Memphis has compiled a 21-7 record since the All-Star break, which is the third-best record in the NBA during that span. Defensively, the team has held 69 of 80 opponents under the century mark, which is a higher number than any other team in the league. On the other side of things, the franchise has won 22 of 23 games when scoring 100 or more points.

Dallas has won four of its last five games, including a 107-89 blowout victory over the New Orleans Hornets as three-point road favorites Sunday, while going OVER the total for a second consecutive contest. The Mavericks will miss the postseason for the first time since 2000, but they’ve managed to push their record to .500 for the first time since Dec. 12. “It means something for us to be a winning team,” commented Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle. Dallas is 1-7 SU and 2-6 ATS as home underdogs of 3.5 to 6 points the last two-plus seasons, which is important to consider when making your NBA picks against the spread Monday night.

The Mavericks are 23-16 overall at the American Airlines Center, including a 13-11 mark versus conference rivals. The home team has won each of the last six meetings in this series, which can’t be ignored when looking over the pro basketball odds page. Dallas has also managed to win 20 of the last 23 games against Memphis when playing in the Lone Star State.