Grizzlies go for the kill shot tonight at OKC
Published on Wednesday, 5/15/13, at 8:18 a.m. Eastern.
By Brian Edwards
–Most books opened Oklahoma City (65-27 SU, 52-38-2 ATS) as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 185. As of early Tuesday night, most books had adjusted OKC to a four-point ‘chalk’ with the total slightly increased to 185.5 at The Mirage and William Hill properties. Bettors can back the Grizzlies on the money line for a +160 return (risk $100 to win $160). OKC is favored by 2.5 with a total of 92.5 for first-half wagers.
–Memphis (63-29 SU, 55-35-2 ATS) took a 3-1 series lead by capturing a 103-97 overtime win as a 4.5-point home favorite in Monday’s Game 4 at The Grind House. The 200 combined points went ‘over’ the 185-point total, but it was a winner in regulation when the game was knotted at 94-94.
–Lionel Hollins’s squad trailed by as many as 17 points in the first half but was able to trim the deficit to eight by halftime. The Grizz outscored the Thunder 9-3 in the extra session. Mike Conley Jr. scored a team-high 24 points for the winners. Zach Randolph finished with 23 points and 12 rebounds, while Marc Gasol tallied 23 points, 11 boards and six blocked shots. Tony Allen chipped in with 10 points, six rebounds and three steals.
–In the Game 4 defeat, Kevin Durant scored a game-high 27 points to go with seven rebounds and seven assists. Kevin Martin added 18 points from off the bench. Serge Ibaka had his best performance of the postseason with 17 points, 14 boards and three blocked shots. Reggie Jackson finished with 15 points and eight dimes.
–Memphis is 7-2 ATS in the last nine head-to-head meetings with OKC. The Grizz have taken the cash in all four games of this series, while totals have been a wash (2-2).
–Since getting thumped in Game 1 against the Clippers to open the postseason, the Grizzlies have covered the number in nine straight games.
–The ‘under’ is 53-38-1 overall for Memphis, 24-21-1 in its road assignments. The ‘over’ is 4-1 in Grizzlies’ five road assignments in the playoffs.
–The ‘under’ is 50-40-1 overall for the Thunder, 23-22-1 in its home games. The ‘under’ is on an 18-6 run in OKC’s last 24 games.
–Most books have the updated series price as Memphis -700 (risk $700 to win $100), Oklahoma City +500.
–TNT will have the telecast at around 9:40 p.m. Eastern.
**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**
–San Antonio took a 3-2 series advantage over Golden St. with last night’s 109-91 win as a seven-point home favorite. The 200 combined points slipped ‘over’ the 195-point total, ending a string of three consecutive ‘unders’ in this best-of-seven matchup. Tony Parker led the way for the winners with 25 points and 10 assists. Klay Thompson and Steph Curry were rendered ineffective with only 13 combined points on 6-of-22 shooting from the field.
–Most spots are listing the Spurs as one-point road favorites for Game 6 at Oracle Arena. The total is 196.
–Indiana blasted New York by a 93-82 count as a five-point home favorite last night. The Pacers, who now own a 3-1 advantage, will try to polish off the Knicks on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden in NYC. The 175 combined points resulted in another ‘under’ (179.5). George Hill scored a game-high 26 points.
–Since his suspension in the Boston series, J.R. Smith has made only 23-of-91 shots from the field for an atrocious 25.3 shooting percentage.
–Most books are listing the Knicks as 4.5-point home favorites for Game 5 vs. Indiana. The total is 179 and the Pacers are +170 on the money line (risk $100 to win $170).
—I have three picks in my pick pack tonight. For the season, my NBA picks have cashed at a 118-81 clip (59%) for 29.99 units of profit ($29,990 for ‘dime players’).
