NBA Odds: Grizzlies end trip at LA Clippers
By: Joe Freda
The Memphis Grizzlies have a 3-0 NBA spread record in the first three games of their present road trip, with the ‘under’ going 2-1. Lionel Hollins’ squad finishes its journey with Saturday afternoon’s matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers, who are 7-2 ATS in their last nine contests.
Memphis cashed its latest ticket with Wednesday’s 104-98 overtime triumph as a 3½-point road dog against the Phoenix Suns. The Grizzlies were forced to extra minutes after being outscored in the fourth quarter, 28-14.
Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph notched his third straight double-double, finishing with 34 points and 17 rebounds. The 29-year-old hit 15-of-19 from the field in 43 minutes of play.
Memphis’ Mike Conley logged a season-high 14 assists en route to putting up 11 points. The Indiana native added three steals and one block.
The lengthy battle’s combined 202 points ducked below the ‘total’ of 218, bringing the ‘under’ to 2-0 in Memphis’ last two games. Both squads united to drain 9-of-37 from three-point land, while sinking 35-of-49 free throws.
The Grizzlies improved to 7-5 ATS in their first 12 road games, with the ‘under’ also moving to 7-5. Randolph and Co. have been held to 97.7 PPG in that span.
The Clippers were edged out in Wednesday’s 87-86 defeat as a 7 ½-point home dog against the Los Angeles Lakers. Lakers guard Derek Fisher won the game for his club with a late driving layup, helping to erase the Clippers’ 12-point lead in the second half.
Clippers guard Eric Gordon notched a team-high 24 points and added four assists. The 21-year-old drained 3-of-5 from beyond the arc, while hitting 5-of-7 at the foul line.
Gordon’s mates Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan hauled in 11 boards each. The duo united for 25 points, connecting on 10-of-23 from the field.
The tight affair’s combined 173 points plunged below the ‘total’ of 204½, making the ‘under’ 4-0-1 in the Clippers’ last five games. Griffin and Co. outrebounded the Lakers, 52-39, while outscoring Phil Jackson’s club, 22-10.
The Clippers improved to 6-7 ATS in their first 13 home dates, with the ‘under’ moving to 8-5. Vinny Del Negro’s troops have allowed 98.6 PPG in that stretch.
Memphis is 3-2 in its last five meetings against the Clippers, with the ‘over’ also going 3-2.
The Grizzlies won last January’s matchup between the foes, 104-102, failing to cover ATS as six-point home favorites. Randolph finished with 20 points and seven boards for Memphis, while Jordan hit 9-of-11 from the field for Los Angeles en route to 23 points.
Saturday’s tip is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. (PT).
The Clippers are playing the front end of a back-to-back spot, remaining home for Sunday’s game against the Orlando Magic. Memphis will have one day off before returning home to face the Portland Trail Blazers.