Posted on
4/2/2008 4:14:39 PM
NBA Basketball Betting - New York Knicks at Memphis Grizzlies
By Charles Jay
WHO: New York Knicks (20-54 SU, 33-40-1 ATS) at Memphis Grizzlies (19-55 SU, 32-41 ATS)
WHERE: FedEx Forum in Memphis, TN
WHEN: Wednesday, April 2 at 8 PM ET
BetUS NBA basketball betting odds: Memphis -7.5, Total 216.5
In the HEAD-to-HEAD NBA betting trends:
* MEM has won four of the last six meetings SU
* NY has covered three of the last five meetings
* NY is 13-7-1 ATS in the last 21 meetings
* NY has covered five of the last six meetings as the visitor
* NY has won seven of the last ten meetings SU as the visitor
* Five of the last six meetings in Memphis have gone OVER the total
* NY has had the rebounding edge in six of the last eight meetings
* MEM has made more three-pointers in seven of the last nine meetings
New York is 29th in the league in shooting, hitting 43.8% of its shots. The Knicks are 28th in the NBA in field goal percentage, yielding 47.4% from opponents. And they have compiled just 18.5 assists per game. Also:
* NY has lost eight of its last nine games SU
* NY has covered its last three games
* NY has lost 10 of its last 11 road games SU
* NY has played six of its last seven games OVER the total
* NY has played its last four road games OVER the total
In terms of points per game allowed, Memphis is 28th in the league, at 106.3 ppg. And the Grizzlies have surrendered a higher shooting percentage to their foes than anyone (47.9%). Also:
* MEM has lost four of its last five games SU
* MEM has lost six of its last eight home games SU
* MEM has covered six of its last eight games
* MEM has covered three of its last eight home games
It's a D-Day of sorts around the Knicks' camp, as Donnie Walsh is going to be announced as the team's new president of basketball operations. Since Isiah Thomas considers himself part of basketball operations, this probably means the former Pistons' star, who has essentially poisoned everything he's touched since then, including the CBA, is going to be "re-positioned" within the organization, off the bench and someplace where he can't do much harm. the only reason he may not be fired altogether is that he has a good relationship with Walsh, who gave him his first coaching job with the Pacers.
The point is, dysfunction in the front office has spread to the team this season, and the Knicks are not finishing with a flourish, having lost 15 of 17, with the only wins coming against Miami. Zach Randolph came back to the lineup against Milwaukee, scoring 19 points with ten rebounds. And Jamal Crawford have put up almost 27 points a game over his last five, saving enough energy for scoring by laying down on the defensive end.
While we wouldn't necessarily describe Memphis as being on an upswing, the Grizzlies have nonetheless covered six of eight and have been pretty solid from the floor in its last four games, hitting 49%, 49%, 48% and 54%, while placing less of an emphasis on three-pointers. And the Grizz hit 52% against the Knicks last time these two met, a 120-106 win at the Garden just 12 days ago.
With neither team emphasizing defense as part of its core curriculum, and offensive weapons still present, we'll look for both teams to play "Ole!" on its own end and for the game to go OVER the 216.5-point total as posted in the BetUS NBA basketball betting odds.
JAY'S PLAY: OVER 216.5
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(Charles Jay of http://www.eBookies.com is a freelance writer and handicapper who not only can make his shots from the top of the key, but also contributes with gusto to the BetUS Locker Room)