The Memphis Grizzlies play host to Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers tonight. Lets go over the odds that are on the table at the sportsbooks as we try to decide where we should place our NBA picks tonight.
Two
Western Conference playoff teams meet in the Mid-South Mecca of Memphis,
Tennessee this evening. The Lakers are dying for a road win, as they are only
1-3 in their last four road games. The Grizzlies have recently reminded
everyone why they made it so far into the playoffs last season.
Memphis
sits 4th in the West, and could move into third with a win this
evening. Plus, Memphis could get a bonus, as All-Star power forward and the
walking double-double machine, Zach Randolph, could make his return tonight
from an MCL tear.
NBA odds makers have just released the line for this matchup and
it has opened dead even as a pick em. Some NBA betting sites have already moved the lines to favor the Lakers by one point with a total set at 182.
Check out which team I like the get the
win in Memphis, and where I think you should place your NBA picks.
Grizz Nation
I’m not
really surprised that the Grizzlies are a win away from the three seed in the
West, but I am surprised that they did it all basically without Zach Randolph.
I know that Rudy Gay is their best player, but Randolph is by far the most
consistent and when paired with Marc Gasol, they are just as good as their
counterparts for tonight, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum.
For
tonight however, Randolph still might not play and will be rusty as it is a
knee injury. However, the Lakers have been struggling on the road and the
Grizzlies are very good at Fed-Ex Forum. One problem the Grizzlies do have
tonight is the mildly concussed Rudy Gay. Gay was diagnosed with a mild
concussion during the Grizzlies’ win over Denver. He will have to go through
the newly mandated tests in order to get on the court this evening.
LA on the ropes
All we
have heard over the last week or two is how bad the Lakers have been playing,
and the rumors that are swirling around them. Despite all this, as I mentioned
above, LA is still in third place in the West, right behind San Antonio and
Oklahoma City.
The
bigger picture talk surrounding the Lakers is the trade discussion. The NBA
trade deadline is just two days away and still the Lakers have made no moves,
which kind of mirrors the league so far. We are 48 hours from the deadline. As
of now, no major moves have been made by any team.
That
doesn’t mean something won’t happen before then. The Lakers need something; most
likely a point guard. I don’t think they need to get rid of Pau Gasol, unless
they are getting something like a Dwight Howard or a Monta Ellis in return. The
Lakers are #2 in the NBA in rebounding and that statistic would surely fall if
Gasol was shipped elsewhere.
The Sharp Pick
The
Lakers are 1-5 ATS in their last six games and 1-7 ATS in their last eight
games on the road. Memphis is currently the opposite. The Grizzlies are 6-1 SU
in their last seven games and 5-0 SU in their last five at home. Depending on
the sportsbook, you can find a pick em’ or the Lakers favored by -1 right now.
If you
feel like waiting it out, I can see the public taking this line upwards in
favor of the Lakers. When that happens, I suggest jumping on the Grizzlies. I
see Randolph making his return tonight and playing solid minutes, and I don’t
think the concussion will hold out Rudy Gay. I see the Grizzlies coming away
with a home court win this evening against Kobe and company.
My Pick: Grizzlies +1