NBA Basketball
2012-03-25 - Memphis Grizzlies at LA Lakers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NBA Basketball
Sunday 25 March 2012 - Tip Off 10:30pm ET
3:30am (British Standard Time)
Preview
The LA Lakers (30-18) continued their good home record and they have a chance to keep the pressure up on the top two teams in the Western Conference, while also cementing their own place as the Number 3 seed at a minimum. They have a chance to put some more distance between themselves and the Memphis Grizzlies (25-21) who will be focused on keeping their place in the Play Off here.
Memphis complete a four game road trip at the Staples Center the day after being blown out by the LA Clippers and they will also hope to snap their 3 game losing run. The Grizzlies have been struggling for wins recently, going 2-6 in their last 8 games and they are now looking over their shoulders in the loaded Western Conference.
Zach Randolph and Rudy Gay are both in the rotation again after missing the last game with the Lakers and both have had successes against the Lakers in the past and will give Head Coach Lionel Hollins some cause more optimism that they can win here.
Kobe Bryant was not at his very best against Portland last time out, missing his last 11 shots from the field, although he made sure of the win thanks to his efforts from the free throw line. However, it would be wrong to count out the All-Star, especially after he had scored 34 points at Memphis last week.
Ramon Sessions also started his first game for the Lakers since the trade from Cleveland and he scored 20 points and added 11 assists and there was some definite energy about the team when he was on the field. Sessions is averaging 13.6 points per game and 7 assists since joining the Lakers and I expect that both numbers to improve in his time now that he will be a starter.
Head to Head
The Lakers have won the last 3 games in the series, both straight up and against the spread, including both games played this season.
Memphis have particularly struggled when visiting the Lakers, going just 1-4 against the spread in the last 5 games in the series.
LA are 13-10 against the spread at home this season, Memphis are 9-14 on the road.
LA are 13-19 against the spread as the favourite, Memphis are 8-11 as the underdog.
Other Interesting Trends
The Lakers have lost their last 4 home games as the favourite of between 5 and 10.5 points.
They are 9-4 against the spread in their last 13 games against a team with a winning record.
Memphis are 2-7 against the spread in their last 9 games as the road underdog of between 5 and 10.5 points.
They are 2-10 against the spread in their last 12 games against a team with a winning record greater than 60% at home.
Prediction
I am going to back the Lakers to win this game and cover the spread for the following reasons:
First, the Lakers have performed strongly at home against the Memphis in recent games in the series, going 4-1 against the spread.
Second, Memphis are only 3-13 against the spread in their last 16 games against a team with a winning record at home.
Third, the Grizzlies have gone just 1-3 against the spread in their games as the road underdog being given between 6.5 and 9 points.
Fourth, the Lakers are 6-2 against the spread this season when playing teams from the Southwest Division.
The Pick :
LA Lakers 101-92 Memphis Grizzlies
