Pro Basketball Picks: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Washington Wizards

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Washington Wizards
Monday, 3/3/14, 7:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Memphis PK
Current Betting Line: Memphis -1
Opening Total: 189
Current Total: 189
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Memphis Grizzlies are one of the best teams in the league again with center Marc Gasol back on the floor

Memphis has alternated wins and losses over its last five games, as it comes off a 110-96 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers as nine-point home favorites last Saturday, while going OVER the betting total for a sixth consecutive contest. The Grizzlies have four of five probable starters averaging in double figures, with point guard Mike Conley leading the way at 17.4 points a contest, which is important to consider when making your pro basketball picks. Memphis is 5-2 SU and 4-2-1 ATS as road favorites of three or fewer points the last two-plus seasons.

The Grizzlies are 15-11 SU on the road this season, including a 6-3 mark versus Eastern Conference opponents. Memphis has won 15 of 21 games since the return of center Marc Gasol, which can’t be ignored when looking over the pro basketball odds page. It’s important to point out that the franchise’s players have missed 106 games due to injury already this season—already surpassing the 43 games lost due to injury during the 2012-13 campaign.

Washington has won six games in a row, including a 122-103 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers as 11.5-point road favorites last Saturday, while going OVER the betting total for a third consecutive contest. The Wizards are 15-14 SU at home this season, including an even 6-6 mark versus Western Conference foes. Point guard John Wall is the key player to handicap in this affair, as he’s coming off a 17-point performance last time out. Washington is 17-16 ATS in March the last two-plus seasons, with the UNDER going 21-13 in that situation.

The Wizards have scored at least 116 points in their last three games—marking the first time they’ve accomplished that feat since Dec. 21-26, 2006. Through 59 games this season, Washington is averaging 23.4 assists per game, which ranks tied for eight in the league.