Memphis Grizzlies at Portland Trail Blazers
Tuesday, 1/24/12, 10:00 PM EST, TV: NBA TV
Opening Point Spread: Portland -6
Current Betting Line: Portland -5.5
Opening Total: 189
Current Total: 187
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Memphis continues a four-game road trip Tuesday and comes off an exciting 91-90 win over the Golden State Warriors as 2.5-point road underdogs last night. The Grizzlies extended their win streak to seven games despite trailing by as many as 20 points late in the third quarter. “We were dead in the water in the first half,” commented Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins. “But we don’t quit, we fight.” Offensively, the team has been getting it done behind the arc during the streak, hitting 42.2 percent of its three-point attempts. Memphis is 2-0 ATS when playing on back-to-back days.
The Grizzlies have been very pleased with the performance of forward Rudy Gay recently, averaging 22.1 points over the last seven games. He’s been steadily improving since the opening tip of the 2011-12 campaign after missing most of last year with injuries. Shooting guard O.J. Mayo has also been providing a lift offensively, ranking fifth in the NBA in shooting 48.9 percent from three-point range. The entire offense is being directed by starting point guard Mike Conley, who tallied his third 20-point game in five contests last night.
Portland has alternated wins and losses over its last five games, while going “under” the total in four of those contests. The Trail Blazers returned home after a six-game road trip and captured a 101-89 win over the Sacramento Kings as 11-point favorites on Monday night. “It felt good being home with the fans,” commented Craig Smith. One player that has struggled inside the Rose Garden recently is star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who is averaging just 15.5 points in his last six home games against tonight’s opponent. Portland is 3-0 ATS when playing on Tuesday nights.
The Trail Blazers finished their six-game road trip with just two wins and head coach Nate McMillan is looking to get some of his veterans going offensively. Jamal Crawford certainly responded in a big way versus the Kings, scoring a season-high 26 points in making nine of 18 shots. Defensively, the team may be without starting center Marcus Camby tonight, as he left Monday’s win with a mild groin strain. He’s listed as questionable on the injury report.
Bettors will likely back the Trail Blazers due to their 5-0-1 ATS mark as a home favorite of 5 to 10.5 points, while the Grizzlies are 2-7 ATS as a road underdog.
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