posted November 20, 2009 at 18:00 EST in NBA Free Picks
NBA Betting - Memphis Grizzlies vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Grizzlies (+5) at Philadelphia (-5)
(O/U) 194½
7:00 PM ET
The Memphis Grizzlies (3-8 SU, 5-6 ATS, 5-6 O/U) say they are totally focused on winning after finally freeing themselves of the ongoing controversy surrounding short-lived shooting guard Allen Iverson.
Memphis has won two consecutive games coming into tonight’s showdown against the Philadelphia 76ers (5-6 SU, 3-8 ATS, 4-7 O/U).
Philadelphia saw one of its own players get back on track in a big way the last time out as former perennial all-star power forward Elton Brand scored 19 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and blocked six shots as the Sixers narrowly defeated the Charlotte Bobcats 86-64 at home on Wednesday.
The Scoop: The Grizzlies won for just the third time this season but covered the spread for pro basketball betting enthusiasts for the second straight game as Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph each scored a team-high 21 points to lead the Grizz to an emphatic 106-91 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.
The 76ers failed to cover the NBA point spread as 3-point home favorites just as I predicted but fought off a late charge from the Bobcats to win on Lou Williams’ layup with 3.1 seconds remaining in regulation.
Andre Iguodala scored a team-high 25 points to lead Philly to victory, but it was Brand’s reappearance that attracted the most attention.
New head coach Eddie Jordan has sat Brand for almost the entirety of the fourth quarter in every game this season in favor of blossoming second-year power forward Marreese Speights.
With Speights out of the lineup with a partially torn MCL, Brand finally got his chance to shine and made the most of it.
Grizzlies (+5) vs. Philadelphia (-5) >>Join Now to Bet
Tonight’s Trends
- Grizzlies are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a S.U. win.
- Grizzlies are 5-2-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings in Philadelphia.
- 76ers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 home games.
- Underdog is 9-3-1 ATS in the last 13 meetings.
- Under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in Philadelphia.
- Under is 9-2-1 in the last 12 meetings.
Analysis: I think this pick is simple as the Grizzlies have not lost to the Sixers by six points or more in a whopping 10 straight games dating back to 2004, while going an encouraging 5-41 ATS during the span.
Memphis has also covered the spread in two straight against the Sixers and possess a team that is just as talented as their counterparts in this matchup in my estimation.
The Grizzlies have also gone 6-1 ATS in their last seven games following an SU win and 5-2-1 ATS in the last eight meetings in Philadelphia.
The 76ers have also gone an ugly, 0-5 ATS in their last five home games while the underdog in this series has gone 9-3-1 ATS in the last 13 meetings.
In addition to taking the Grizzlies to cover the spread, I also advise pro online basketball betting members to play the Under as it has gone a consistent 5-1 in the last six meetings in Philadelphia and 9-2-1 in the last 12 meetings between these teams overall.
