Memphis Grizzlies at San Antonio Spurs
Monday, 12/26/11, 8:30 PM EST, TV: FOX SW
Opening Point Spread: San Antonio -5.5
Current Betting Line: San Antonio -5.5
Opening Total: 196
Current Total: 193.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Memphis knows its will face an angry team Monday night after bouncing them out of the 2011 NBA playoffs in six games. The Grizzlies have plenty to be excited about this year with the return of star forward Rudy Gay, who missed the final 28 regular-season games and the entire playoffs. “Last year, we got to the second round, with one of our best players not being there,” stated Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph. Gay finished the year averaging 19.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, while shooting 47.1 percent from the field. Memphis is 16-7 ATS as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points the last two-plus years.
The Grizzlies landed in the No. 8 spot in last year’s Western Conference playoffs, while finishing 15 games behind the Spurs. Memphis will definitely lean on Randolph offensively, coming off a brilliant season in averaging 20.1 points and 12.2 rebounds per game. He joins center Marc Gasol in the patin, who averaged 15 points and 11.2 rebounds per game during the playoffs, forming one of the best paint combinations in the entire league.
San Antonio posted its most regular-season wins since the 2005-06 season and watched its effort fall by the wayside in getting bounced from the playoffs. The Spurs are a veteran-laden team that may continue to have trouble against more youthful squads in the league. “A lot of young teams are coming up, so we just have to make sure we can keep up and be competitive,” stated Spurs point guard Tony Parker. He’s already logged 11 years in the NBA and will be joined by Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili for another season. San Antonio is 7-9 ATS as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points the last two years.
The Spurs have to be concerned with Duncan’s minutes this year, averaging career-lows of 13.4 points and 8.9 rebounds per game during the 2010-11 campaign. “I think Pop is going to manage Manu’s and Timmy’s minutes, so we’re definitely going to need them to play very well and consistently,” stated Parker in practice last week. San Antonio should still remain confident in this series due to winning 14 of the last 16 matchups inside the AT&T Center.
Bettors will likely back the Grizzlies due to their 19-6-1 ATS mark versus NBA Southwest teams, while the Spurs are 0-3-1 ATS in their last four home games.
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