Posted on
12/26/2007 5:52:00 PM
NBA Betting Trends –Will Hornets Sting Grizzlies Again?
By Eric Williams
This matchup is an interesting contest between two young teams currently heading in opposite directions.
The New Orleans Hornets, (17-10 SU, 14-12-1 ATS, 9-18 O/U) have taken off this season, led by gifted young point guard Chris Paul, while the Memphis Grizzlies, (8-19 SU, 13-13-1 ATS, 13-14 O/U) have struggled immensely despite having a former perennial all-star in center Pau Gasol, who doesn’t even lead his own team in scoring.
The Hornets have won two consecutive games, including an emphatic 110-76 thrashing of the beleaguered Minnesota Timberwolves at home on Saturday.
The Memphis Grizzlies have lost two straight games, including a miserable 99-97 loss at home to the Philadelphia 76ers on Andre Iguoadala’s last-second buzzer-beater.
The Grizzlies have been led by second-year forward, Rudy Gay, who leads the team in scoring, averaging 19.6 points per game.
Gay is averaging 25.5 points in Memphis’ two losses against New Orleans this season, scoring 31 against the Hornets on Dec. 7.
Paul scored a career-high 43 points for New Orleans while handing out nine assists in the Hornets’ 118-116 overtime win in the same game. Paul also torched the Grizzlies for 28 points and 13 assists in the Hornets' 120-118 overtime win at Memphis on Nov. 16.
Here is a look at tonight’s Key Trends, followed by my analysis and NBA Betting Free Picks.
Key Hornets Trends
The Hornets are 5-1 ATS in their last six road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
The Hornets are 4-1 ATS in their last five road games vs. a team with a home winning percentage of less than .400.
The Hornets are 15-5-1 ATS in their last 21 road games.
Key Grizzles Trends
The Grizzlies are 7-0-1 ATS in their last eight games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
The Grizzlies are 4-0 ATS in their last four games playing on three or more days rest.
The Grizzlies are 7-1-1 ATS in their last nine vs. NBA Southwest.
Key Totals Trends
The Under is 5-0 in Hornets last five games following a S.U. win.
The Under is 8-0 in Hornets last eight after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
The Under is 6-0 in Grizzlies last six Wednesday games.
The Over is 4-1 in Grizzlies last five home games vs. a team with a road winning percentage of greater than .600.
Key Head-to-Head Trends
The Over is 8-0 in the last eight meetings.
The Over is 4-0 in the last four meetings in Memphis.
The Home team is 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings.
Analysis: While there is absolutely no concrete reason to think the mediocre Grizzlies are going to win this game over the clearly superior Hornets, I’m taking Memphis to do just that tonight. After losing to the Hornets twice already this season, the Grizzlies should be able to find a way to win at home tonight and cover the spread in the process.
NBA Free Picks: Grizzlies +2 Points/Over 201.5 Total Points
08:05 PM EST
New Orleans Hornets -2 -110
Memphis Grizzlies +2 -110
Over 201½ -110
Under 201½ -110
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