NBA Basketball
2012-03-27 - Minnesota T-Wolves at Memphis Grizzlies
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NBA Basketball
Tuesday 27 March 2012 - Tip Off 8pm ET
1am (British Standard Time)
Preview
The Memphis Grizzlies (26-21) ended their four game road trip with a win at the LA Lakers, but they need to pick up some momentum if they are to make the Play Offs and cause some problems like they did last season when beating the Number 1 seeded San Antonio Spurs. This game gives them a chance to put the Minnesota Timberwolves (24-26) into a tough position while improving their own chances.
It has been a tough stretch of games for Memphis who had lost 5 of their last 6 games before the win at the Lakers. The team recognise they need that sort of effort the rest of the way in this shortened season if they are to achieve their goals, while the return of Zach Randolph will be huge for their chances to do so.
Randolph had his first double-double since returning from an injury that has seen him miss a large amount of this season, while OJ Mayo will look to continue his run of form against the Timberwolves after averaging 19.7 points in his last 6 home games against them.
One player who will be getting a lot of attention is Kevin Love of the Timberwolves after he had a huge weekend, scoring 51 points on one night and then going 30-20 in his next game. Love has been huge against the Grizzlies in the past and some are even beginning to compare him with the great Larry Bird.
Love helped Minnesota snap a two game losing run with a win against Denver, but they had been a poor 1-5 before that win as they get used to life without Ricky Rubio, the rookie PG who had a huge season before tearing his ACL.
Michael Beasley was back in the rotation for the Timberwolves on Sunday, but Nikola Pekovic is out until the end of the week at the earliest. JJ Barea is listed as questionable after missing the last game against Denver.
Head to Head
Memphis have dominated the recent series between the two teams, winning 10 of the last 11 games including 6 in a row.
They have won their last 5 at home in the series, both straight up and against the spread, by an average of 15.4 points per game.
Memphis are 11-12 against the spread at home this season, Minnesota are 16-9 on the road.
Memphis are 12-15 against the spread as the favourite, Minnesota are 22-9 as the underdog.
Other Interesting Trends
Memphis have a poor 1-5 record against the spread in their last 6 games as the home favourite of between 5 and 10.5 points.
They are 3-7 against the spread in their last 10 games following a straight up win.
Minnesota are 12-3 against the spread in their last 15 games as the road underdog being given between 5 and 10.5 points.
They are just 1-5 against the spread in their last 6 games following a straight up win.
Prediction
I am going to back the Minnesota Timberwolves to at least keep this close and cover the spread for the following reasons:
First, they may have struggled against Memphis in recent games, but both games against them this season have seen them lose in close fashion by a combined 9 points.
Second, they have been very good in 'revenge' situations, going 21-12 against the spread against an opponent they lost to in the last meeting.
Third, Memphis are just 0-3 against the spread against teams with losing records in the second half of the season.
The Pick :
Memphis Grizzlies 90-87 Minnesota T-Wolves
