NBA Basketball
2013-05-25 - San Antonio Spurs at Memphis Grizzlies
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NBA Basketball Play Offs
Saturday 25 May 2013 - Tip Off 9pm
2am (British Time)
Preview
Not for the first time this Play Offs, the Memphis Grizzlies are down 0-2 in a series as they return home for a couple of games against the San Antonio Spurs. Memphis recovered from this deficit to beat the LA Clippers four times in a row in the First Round and they will also do well to remind the San Antonio Spurs that they blew this same lead against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals twelve months ago.
There will be some frustration on the part of the Grizzlies as they do feel they had their chances to split the series in Texas a few days ago. After being blown out in Game 1, it looked very likely that Memphis were going to take another big loss as they were down by 18 with around 15 minutes left to play.
However, it seemed their defense finally began to slow down the Spurs' offense and they actually held them to 9 points in the final 8 minutes, although that wasn't enough to win the game after it went into overtime.
The extra time off will be appreciated by the older San Antonio Spurs, particularly as it gave Tony Parker the chance to rest his calf injury which had begun to plague him in Game 2. Parker has played excellently in the series so far, but he was definitely slowed in the fourth quarter and overtime and that coincided with the offense getting flat and Memphis fighting back.
It would have impressed Lionel Hollins that his side showed the heart to get back into the last game, but he would have been disappointed about some of their offensive problems. Memphis did not do enough consistently in the first six quarters of the series, but they certainly found a little more rhythm in the second half.
Most importantly, Zach Randolph came alive as he went 5/10 in the second half, although he still wants more. Zandolph has called on the perimeter players to start shooting better and find better movement of the ball to stop the Spurs doubling him in the paint in future games.
The Grizzlies are hoping to avoid their first three game losing run since January, while they have been particularly dominant at the 'Grindhouse'. Memphis are 19-1 here since early February and have won all 4 home games they have played in the Play Offs so far.
Head to Head
San Antonio are now leading the season series 4-2 as every game has gone with the home team.
Memphis have won both home games they have played this season against the Spurs, stopping a run of back to back defeats.
The Grizzlies are 7-2 in the last 9 games at home against San Antonio.
Prediction
The extra time off between Game 2 and 3 should help the San Antonio Spurs to at least get their older players the rest to get them going again in this one.
With the Grizzlies finding their offensive identity in the second half of Game 2, I think there is a chance that this game will follow the first two of the series and go over the lowered total.
The Pick :
Memphis Grizzlies 93-89 San Antonio Spurs
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Over 177.5 Points @ 1.95
