Portland Trail Blazers at Memphis Grizzlies
Monday, 12/13/10, 8:00 PM EDT
Opening Point Spread: Memphis -2.5
Current Betting Line: Memphis -3
Opening Total: 192
Current Total: 188.5
Portland has captured eight straight wins in Memphis and that includes a 100-99 victory on November 16 without the services of star guard Brandon Roy. Backup Wesley Matthews scored a career-high 30 points in that game, but will likely be coming off the bench tonight as Roy has stated he expects to play in this matchup. “I tweaked my knee a little early in the game and it was sore going from there,” said Roy after the team’s 95-78 loss at San Antonio. “I didn’t really have the same lift, but I should be good for Monday.” It may be smart in resting the All-Star performer considering Matthews is averaging 20.3 points in his 11 starts and the Trail Blazers are 6-3 when he scores at least 18 this season. Portland is 28-13 ATS when playing on back-to-back days and the NBA lines page has them as a slight underdog.
The Trail Blazers have won 10 of the last 12 meetings overall against the Grizzlies and Roy led the team by averaging 24.5 points per game in the four games last season. It’s important to note that Portland’s 12 wins this season have come when holding opponents under 100 points and the team is winless when allowing 100 points or more. The defensive unit is allowing 97.4 points per game on the road compared to 91.7 points at home. Portland knew its current four-game road trip would be a major test, splitting the first two games and will be playing the second game of a back-to-back tonight before finishing with a visit to face red-hot Dallas.
Memphis closed out its recent four game road trip with consecutive victories over the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers, after suffering opening defeats to Denver and Utah. “Our effort is becoming more consistent. Our defense is getting more consistent,” coach Lionel Hollins stated. “We just have to stay focused offensively throughout the course of the game and good things will happen.” The Grizzlies are 10-14 overall on the year and have posted a 4-3 mark against Western Conference opponents at home. The team has recorded a 11-19 record against tonight’s opponent in Memphis. Over the last three years, Memphis is 42-47 ATS at the FedEx Forum.
The Grizzlies are looking to recapture the magic they enjoyed during a 9-4 December last year by entering tonight’s game on a two-game win streak. Memphis set the monthly franchise rebounding record in December 2009 while defeating eight opponents with winning records. The team’s recent strong play can be attributed directly to its defensive effort, holding opponents to 91.7 points on 43.2 percent shooting, after allowing 103.6 points in the first 21 games of the season.
Bettors will be interested in knowing that the Blazers are 2-5-1 ATS on the road, while the Grizzlies are 1-5 ATS as a favorite.
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