NBA Betting Picks: Memphis Grizzlies at Dallas Mavericks

Added on Mar 06, 2011 by Jack Thurman in

NBA

While Miami/Chicago may be the big matchup of a busy NBA Sunday, out West this contest between the Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies could be the game of the day. The Mavs have been playing very well lately and have opened up a 2 game lead over the third place Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference standings though they’ve been unable to make up much ground on the first place San Antonio Spurs. Memphis is one of the surprise teams of this season and currently hold down the eighth and final playoff spot by the slimmest of margins (1/2 game).

Memphis Grizzles at Dallas Mavericks
March 6, 2011 4:35 PM Pacific

In recent years, the Dallas Mavericks were an almost automatic ‘go against’ as a home favorite. Since 2008 they’re just 47-69 at American Airlines Arena and 15-22 as a home chalk in this price range (6′ to 9 points). They’re not great this year in either role–just 14-15 ATS at home and 4-8 ATS in the previously mentioned pointspread range. Memphis, meanwhile, is a huge moneymaker on the road (21-12 ATS) and as an underdog (21-8 ATS). They’ve given good teams fits, posting a 20-10 ATS record against opponents with winning records. Memphis is coming off a home loss to New Orleans as a -5′ point favorite and in their next game following an upset loss as a favorite they’re a perfect 9-0 ATS this season.

The way Dallas is playing lately, however, we just don’t want to step in front of the speeding Mavericks’ freight train. Dallas has a 17-1 SU record in their last 18 games with the only loss by a single point at Denver. In other words, they’re 1 point away from an 19 game winning streak. They’re also on a 13-5 ATS run. The Mavericks have proven to be a team that builds on their successes–while some teams struggle to maintain intensity and cover margins as the wins pile up Dallas is the other extreme. After 3 or more straight wins the Mavs are 24-4 SU/19-8 ATS. Dallas has also been at their best against opponents with winning records–the Mavs are 20-9 SU/20-8-1 ATS against opponents above .500 this season are are currently on a 6-1 SU/7-0 ATS run in that role. This is also a revenge spot for the Mavs, who were beaten badly at Memphis in January and are 9-6 ATS in that situation.

Bet Dallas Mavericks -6′ over Memphis Grizzlies