Pro Basketball Picks: Phoenix Suns vs. Memphis Grizzlies

Phoenix Suns at Memphis Grizzlies
Tuesday, 2/5/13, 8:00 PM EST, TV: SPSO
Opening Point Spread: Memphis -9
Current Betting Line: Memphis -8.5
Opening Total: 182.5
Current Total: 183
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Memphis Grizzlies are 15-8 ATS at home this season

Phoenix has dropped four of its last five games, including a 113-93 setback to the Golden State Warriors as 10.5-point road underdogs last Saturday, while going OVER the total for the fourth time in five contests. “When you see a team like that still battling, it’s a reflection of the job the coach is doing,” stated Warriors head coach Mark Jackson about Lindsey Hunter. The Suns are 3-4 under Hunter’s direction since taking over for Alvin Gentry on the sidelines. Phoenix is 4-4 ATS as a road underdog of 6.5 to 9 points this season, which is important to consider when making your pro basketball picks Tuesday night.

The Suns are 4-20 overall on the road this season, including a 1-10 mark versus Western Conference opponents. Phoenix will be playing its fourth and final meeting in this particular series, as it has dropped two of the previous three, including a 92-81 defeat as 4.5-point home underdogs on Jan. 6. The franchise had lost six of its last seven trips to Memphis, while the home team is 4-1-1 ATS in the last six meetings in this series overall.

Memphis has alternated wins and losses over its last five games, as it comes off an 85-76 victory over the Washington Wizards as 6.5-point home favorites on Feb. 1, while going UNDER the posted total of 180. The Grizzlies have had a few days off to make Austin Day, Ed Davis and Tayshaun Prince more comfortable on the floor, as they were acquired by the team after trading away Rudy Gay last week. Memphis is 15-8 ATS at home this season, with the UNDER going 17-8 in that situation.

The Grizzlies are 18-7 overall at FedExForum, which includes a 9-4 mark versus conference opponents. Memphis has gone 44-19 in regular season play dating back to March 31, 2012, while it has proven victorious in 29 of its last 36 games at this particular venue. Defensively, the team has held 40 of its 46 opponents under 100 points this season, which is the highest such mark in the league.