NBA game of the day: Clippers at Grizzlies
By Covers.com
Los Angeles Clippers at Memphis Grizzlies (-2.5, 184)
The Memphis Grizzlies did the unthinkable on Saturday - they allowed another team to score at least 100 points. Looking tired on the second night of a back-to-back, the Grizzlies got blown out at Dallas and will be looking to bounce back when they host the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday. The Clippers are coming off an ugly loss of their own and have struggled a bit on the road, dropping their last two.
Memphis had allowed an opponent to reach 100 points only twice previously, including the opening game of the season when Los Angeles got 29 points from Jamal Crawford in a 101-92 victory at Staples Center. But after squeezing out an overtime victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, the Grizzlies had little left the next night and had to endure a 104-83 loss to the Mavericks. The Clippers had their 13-game home winning streak end when they were outscored 29-18 in the fourth quarter of a 104-101 loss to lowly Orlando on Saturday.
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (28-9): Los Angeles is not far behind the Grizzlies in terms of its team defense but could not get the stops it needed late in Saturday’s contest. That snapped a three-game overall winning streak for the Clippers, who are opening up a three-game road trip at Memphis and will play 14 of their next 17 away from Staples Center. Chris Paul was dominant in the losing effort again on Saturday with 16 assists and only two turnovers. The MVP candidate is averaging 13.5 assists over the past four contests. Paul collected 12 points and 12 assists in the Oct. 31 meeting with Memphis as the Clippers put six players in double figures and shot 51.4 percent from the floor.
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (24-11): Memphis had a four-game winning streak snapped in the loss to the Mavericks and is still one of only two teams in the NBA holding opponents to a average of less than 90 points (89.7). The Grizzlies could have attempted to keep it closer against Dallas but elected to sit all five starters for the entire fourth quarter to rest up for Monday. Rudy Gay was the only starter to reach double figures with 12 points. Gay went for 24 points in the opener against the Clippers and Zach Randolph pulled down 16 rebounds but Memphis could not get the job done defensively and went 2-for-14 from 3-point range.
TRENDS:
* Clippers are 1-5 ATS in their last six games following a loss.
* Grizzlies are 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall.
* Over is 4-1 in Clippers’ last five overall.
* Under is 6-1 in Grizzlies’ last seven games following a loss.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Clippers beat the Grizzlies in a seven-game playoff series last spring, taking the clinching game in Memphis 82-72.
2. Los Angeles F Grant Hill (knee) made his season debut on Saturday and played six minutes.
3. Memphis G Mike Conley is shooting 29.4 percent (5-of-17) from 3-point range in the last six games.
NBA: Streaks, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com
Atlanta Hawks at Chicago Bulls
Both Chicago Bulls (20-15, 13-22 ATS) and Atlanta Hawks (21-15, 14-21-1 ATS) are in bounce back mode when the two collide at the United Center on Monday night. Bulls stunned 97-81 Saturday at home by Suns have not enjoyed much home court advantage this season posting a 10-10 record with a cash draining 4-16 mark at the betting window. But, Bulls one of the better teams defensively (92.3) have an excellent chance to get back on the winning track here at home against Atlanta. The Hawks off a humiliated 93-83 loss against the leagues worst team (Wizards) enter the contest 8-11 (5-14 ATS) scoring =< 95 points/game. Stick with Bulls - The Hawks head into Chicago on a 1-6 SU/ATS skid including 0-4 SU/ATS on the highway, have lost 7-of-10 (4-5-1 ATS) meetings including 0-4 (1-2-1 ATS) last four visits to the windy city.
NBA Point Spreads and Betting Guide
By: The Linemakers
Sportingnews.com
There are eight games on Monday night’s NBA schedule, the Hawks vs. Bulls, Clippers vs. Grizzlies and Heat vs. Jazz among the highlights. Below are some key trends to consider as you make your wagering decisions. The point spreads are from the LVH SuperBook as of about 10:30 a.m. PT.
The Bulls are 4.5-point favorites against the Hawks, with a total of 184, in Chicago tonight. Both teams are the midst of busy runs, as this is the fifth game in seven days for the Hawks, and the fourth in six days for the Bulls. The Hawks have been strong on the road this season, but this is a revenge game for the Bulls, who were embarrassed in Atlanta a few days before Christmas. Chicago has not been good at home this season, but when they find motivation, they’ve been a profitable investment.
NBA trends:
* The Magic covered their past five games on Mondays and six of their past seven road games. The Wizards have covered four of their past five home games. They have also covered their last five meetings against the Magic. The Magic are -2 with a total of 192.
* The Bobcats have covered only six of their last 19 games. The Celtics have covered their past four games against Eastern Conference teams. The Celtics are -11 at home tonight, and the total is 191.
* The Hawks have covered only once in their past six games. The Bulls have covered only three times in their last 10 games. The Hawks and Bulls have gone UNDER the total in six of their past seven meetings. The Bulls are -4 with a total of 184.
* The Clippers have covered only three of their last 10 road games against teams with a winning home record. The Grizzlies have covered four of their last five games. The Clippers and Grizzlies have gone UNDER the total in five of their last seven meetings in Memphis. The Grizzlies are -3 with a total of 181.
* The T’Wolves have covered only two of their last seven road games against teams with a winning home record, but have covered six of their last seven meetings against the Mavericks. The Mavericks have covered five of their last six games following a win. The Mavericks are -6.5 with a total of 197.
* The Heat have covered only two of their last nine games, but have covered six of their last eight meetings with the Jazz in Utah. The Jazz have covered five of their last seven home games. The Heat are 2.5-point road favorites with a total of 196.5.
* The Suns have covered only once in their last five home games. The Thunder have gone OVER the total in their last six games against teams with a losing record. They have also covered their last four games against the Suns in Phoenix. The Thunder are 5-point road favorites with a total of 200.5.
* The Cavs have covered five of their last seven road games. The Kings have covered four of their last five games against teams with a losing record. The underdog has covered the last five meetings between the Kings and Cavs. The Kings are -5.5 with a total of 205.5.
NBA injuries:
* Magic forward Glen Davis (shoulder) is questionable tonight.
* Wizards guard Jordan Crawford (ankle) missed Washington’s last game and is doubtful.
* Clippers guard Chris Paul (knee) is questionable tonight.
* Grizzlies guard Rudy Gay (personal) is OUT tonight.
* T’Wolves forward Kevin Love (hand) is OUT indefinitely.
* Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (chest) missed OKC’s last game and is questionable tonight.
* Suns guard Jared Dudley (hand) is OUT tonight.
* Cavs forward Anderson Varejao (knee) is OUT indefinitely.