posted March 28, 2008 at 17:04 in NBA Articles
NBA Basketball Sportsbook Betting - Memphis at L.A. Lakers
WHO: Memphis Grizzlies (18-53 SU, 31-40 ATS) at Los Angeles Lakers (49-23 SU, 42-28-1 ATS)
WHERE: Staples Center in Los Angeles
WHEN: Friday, March 28 at 10:30 PM ET
BetUS NBA basketball betting odds: Lakers -14.5, Total 218
In the HEAD-to-HEAD NBA basketball betting trends:
* LA has won four of the last six meetings SU
* MEM has covered four of the last five meetings
* MEM has covered six of the last seven meetings as the visitor
* MEM has won four of the last six meetings SU as the visitor
* Four of the last six meetings in Los Angeles have gone UNDER the total
* MEM has had the shooting edge in five of the last eight meetings
* MEM has had the rebounding edge in each of the last five meetings
Memphis is 28th in the NBA in scoring defense, giving up 106.1 points per game. The Grizzlies shoot 45.2% from the field and 73% from the free throw line. Also:
* MEM has covered six of its last seven games
* MEM has lost 16 of its last 20 games SU
* MEM has played six of its last eight games UNDER the total
* MEM has covered four of its last five road games
* MEM has lost 19 of its last 20 road games SU
* MEM has played four of its last five road games UNDER the total
Los Angeles is third in the NBA in field goal accuracy, shooting 47.6%. The Lakers average a robust 24.2 assists per contest, and have been opportunistic, with 8.1 steals a game. Also:
* LA has covered four of its last six games
* LA has won 18 of its last 24 games SU
* LA has played four of its last six games UNDER the total
* LA has covered one of its last five home games
* LA has won 18 of its last 24 home games SU
Memphis has not been a strong play when going up against the league's best teams, dropping 10 of 12 versus the number when getting nine points of more. But the Grizzlies are showing some signs of life lately, covering six of their last seven games, although only one of those games resulted in a straight-up road victory - and that was against the lowly Knicks.
But the Lakers appear handcuffed right now. Andrew Bynum is still being held out, and Pau Gasol, the former Grizz who actually played a couple of times against the Lakers this season, will probably not return until Sunday. That leaves Kobe Bryant and greatly reduced front court strength. With Ronny Turiaf starting at center, the Lakers succumbed to Charlotte at home on Wednesday
Some of the historical trends may have some bearing on things. Memphis has not been intimidated by the Staples Center atmosphere too much, covering on six of its last seven visits. And with key players out, that means Bryant will be gunning more often than usual; he has hit just 38% of his shots in the two meetings this year, and just 29% from beyond the arc.
We know the Lakers would love to bounce back, but we also realize they are limited until getting the inside scoring complement to Bryant back in the lineup. The impost is roomy, and so we'll grab the Grizz and the 14.5 points in the BetUS NBA betting odds.
JAY'S PLAY: MEMPHIS
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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)
