NBA Basketball
2013-04-22 - Memphis Grizzlies at LA Clippers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NBA Basketball Play Offs
Monday 22 April 2013 - Tip Off 10:30pm
3:30am (British Time)
Preview
The team with the largest winning run going into the Play Offs are the LA Clippers and they continued that form by knocking off the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1 of this series. The Clippers were excellent on the boards in Game 1 and that proved to be the difference in the 20 point win, although it was still close going into the fourth quarter when only 1 point separated the teams.
Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol combined for just 6 rebounds in Game 1 and that was a real disappointment for the Grizzlies. Both will be expecting more this time and Randolph will have to win his personal battle with Blake Griffin if he is to help his team find a way to level this series.
Tony Allen has admitted that Memphis are still feeling confident as they saw a lot of errors in their play in Game 1 and yet they were still in the game going into the fourth quarter. They will be looking for Randolph and Mike Conley to stay out of foul trouble in this game after they accumulated too many in the first half.
Conley's speed and ability to make jumpers is important against the LA Clippers, but if the home team get the same production as they did in Game 1, it will be close to impossible to knock them off. Even without Blake Griffin contributing offensively, the Clippers got plenty out of Chris Paul, Eric Bledsoe and Chauncey Billups being three of seven players that scored at least 10 points.
The Clippers domination of the board let to a 20 point advantage when it came to second chance points and that is an area that could prove critical to the outcome of this game.
Head to Head
After beating the Grizzlies in 7 games last season in this Round of the Play Offs, the LA Clippers are now 4-1 against them this season.
However, the Clippers are just 2-2 in the last 4 against Memphis at the Staples Center.
Prediction
I liked the Clippers to take Game 1 of the series, but I am expecting a lot better from the Memphis Grizzlies in this one.
However, I am leaving the point spread alone in this one and instead will back over 181 total points in this one as both teams can grab second chance opportunities and I do expect both to reach at least 90 points in the contest.
The Pick :
LA Clippers 96-94 Memphis Grizzlies
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Over 181 Points @ 2.00
