Memphis Grizzlies at Los Angeles Clippers
Saturday, 5/5/12, 4:30 PM EST, TV: ESPN
Opening Point Spread: Los Angeles -3
Current Betting Line: Los Angeles -3
Opening Total: 186
Current Total: 186
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Memphis evened up its best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series against Los Angeles with a 105-98 win as seven-point home favorites on Wednesday night, as the series shifts from the FedExForum to Staples Center. “This was a grind-out game, more of our style,” stated Grizzlies guard Mike Conley about Game 2. “Turn them over and get into transition.” The Grizzlies posted a disappointing 15-18 road record during the regular season, which included an 8-16 mark versus Western foes. Memphis is 12-12 ATS as an underdog over the last two-plus seasons.
The Grizzlies are being led offensively by the play of forward Rudy Gay, who is averaging 20.0 points through his first two career playoff games. It’s just a tick higher than the 19.0-point average that he finished with during the regular season. Conley has also played a major part in the first two games, including a 19-point, six-assist performance in the last contest. Total players will notice that the “over” has cashed in both games to this point, which is a change from all three regular-season affairs falling short of the number.
Los Angeles has to be feeling confident in returning to Southern California, knowing it won and covered both home meetings in this series earlier in the year, including a 101-85 victory as two-point favorites on March 24. The Clippers certainly know that Game 3 is the most important game to date in this high-profile series. “Game 3 puts us back in the driver’s season,” stated Clippers point guard Chris Paul. He has been electrifying in the early going, averaging 21.5 points and 8.5 assists per game. Los Angeles is 17-16 ATS at home and the “over” is 24-9 in that situation.
The Clippers should anticipate more production on the offensive end from power forward Blake Griffin, who was the team’s high scorer in both meetings played inside Saturday’s venue. The All-Star scored 20 points in both of those contests. He will need to be more active on the glass, as the team grabbed just 16.0 percent of its possible offensive boards in Game 2, while the Grizzlies came down with 40.0 percent. It’s important to note that the Clippers were just 12-11 in games decided by five points or less this season, which could plague the franchise in the remaining games of this series.
Bettors will likely back the Grizzlies due to their 8-6 ATS record as a road underdog of three points or less, while the Clippers are 17-33 ATS against Southwest opponents.
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