NBA Betting Preview: Memphis Grizzlies at Portland Trailblazers

Added on Apr 12, 2011 by Jack Thurman in

NBA

The NBA season is winding down with only two days remaining and it’s getting more difficult to find good wagering positions as teams rest starters for the playoffs and/or have packed it in for the year. We’ll take a look at a Western Conference battle between the Portland Trailblazers and Memphis Grizzles. Both teams will be heading to the playoffs but aren’t given to ‘phoning in’ performances.

Memphis Grizzlies at Portland Trailblazers
April 12, 2011 7:05 PM Pacific

There’s a lot to like about the Grizzlies in this spot. They’ve been one of the most profitable teams in the NBA this season with a 51-28 ATS record and have great situational numbers as well–they’re 25-10 ATS as an underdog, 9-2 ATS as a road dog in this price range (+3′ to +6) and have beaten up on the Northwest Division going 11-6 SU/14-2 ATS. Perhaps their most impressive ATS breakdown is their stellar performance against opponents with winning records–they’ve gone 28-13 ATS against teams above .500 including 13-6 ATS in the second half of the season.

The problem with teams that perform so strongly against the spread is that they’re subject to having the line ‘shaded’ against them by bookmakers looking to balance action. And in this matchup they’re taking on a Portland team that has been red hot against the spread lately as well. The Blazers have covered 13 of their last 19 games overall and 8 of their last 10 at the Rose Garden Arena. The Blazers will be well rested, having last played on Friday. Memphis has performed well against the spread in recent meetings but Portland has won 7 of the last 10 meetings SU. Both teams have easy opponents in their final regular season game–Portland plays Golden State while Memphis takes on the LA Clippers–so this should be a spot where both sides bring their ‘A Game’. In this situation we like the rested and athletic Blazers who have been a ferocious home team dating back to their tenure at Memorial Coliseum and continuing in their new digs at the Rose Garden. Look for the Blazers to win this one with relative ease and cover the number before they cut their starters’ minutes against the Warriors on Wednesday night.

Bet Portland Trailblazers -5′ over Memphis Grizzlies