Pro Basketball Picks: Indiana Pacers vs. Memphis Grizzlies

Indiana Pacers at Memphis Grizzlies
Monday, 1/21/13, 1:00 PM EST, TV: ESPN
Opening Point Spread: Memphis -6
Current Betting Line: Memphis -6
Opening Total: 174
Current Total: 172.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Memphis Grizzlies PF Zach Randolph has averaged 24.5 points and 12.2 rebounds in his last 13 games against the Indiana Pacers

Indiana has alternated wins and losses over its last five games, coming off a 105-95 victory over the Houston Rockets as 4.5-point home favorites Friday, while going OVER the posted total of 195. The Pacers have won 15 of their last 20 games since getting off to a slower start to open the 2012-13 NBA season, as they aim to sweep the Grizzlies for the first time since 2006-07. The franchise earned an 88-83 victory as 1.5-point home underdogs in the first meeting on Dec. 31. Indiana is 13-10 ATS as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points over the last two-plus seasons, which can’t be ignored when making your pro basketball picks Monday.

The Pacers are 9-13 overall when playing away from Bankers Life Fieldhouse, including a 3-4 mark versus Western Conference opponents. Indiana holds a 22-11 edge all-time in this series, but it’s important to note that it has dropped four straight at FedExForum. Having played 22 of their first 41 games on the road, the Pacers have played the second most road games among Eastern Conference teams—behind only the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Memphis has won back-to-back games since suffering through a three-game losing streak, as it comes off an 85-82 overtime victory over the Chicago Bulls as two-point road favorites Saturday. The Grizzlies have won 10 of their last 11 home games when limiting foes to 90 or fewer points, which is certainly possible in this spot, considering they lead the league in allowing just 89.3 points per game. Memphis is 16-8 ATS versus Central division teams since 2010, with the UNDER going 17-7 in that situation.

The Grizzlies are 15-5 overall at home this season, including a 7-2 mark versus non-conference foes. Power forward Zach Randolph is the key player to watch offensively, averaging 24.5 points and 12.2 rebounds in his last 13 games in this series. Memphis has gone 40-16 in regular season games dating back to March 31 of last season, while capturing 26 of its last 31 affairs in front of its home fans.