Grizzlies battle Lakers in Tuesday NBA betting affair
By: Joe Freda
The Los Angeles Lakers have a 2-1 NBA spread record in their three-win streak to start the season, with the margin of victory larger in each battle. Phil Jackson’s defending champs surge ahead with a home date on Tuesday’s league slate against the Memphis Grizzlies, who are also 2-1 ATS.
Lakers center Pau Gasol put up a team-high 26 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in Sunday’s 107-83 triumph for Los Angeles as a 9 ½-point home favorite against the Golden State Warriors. The Spain native hit 10-of-19 from the field while adding two blocks.
Los Angeles’ Lamar Odom logged his third straight double-double with 16 points and 14 boards. The 30-year-old forward drained 2-of-2 from beyond the arc.
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant logged 20 points while committing a season-high four turnovers. The 12-time All-Star went without a steal for a second straight game.
The combined 190 points plunged below the ‘total’ of 217, ending a 2-0 streak for the ‘over’ in Los Angeles’ prior two games. The Lakers led by as much as 32 points, holding Golden State to 40.9 percent shooting.
Los Angeles is 4-1 ATS in its last five games that took place after scoring 100 points or more in its previous game. The ‘total’ is an even 2-2-1 in that span.
The Grizzlies picked up their second straight win in Saturday’s 109-89 victory as seven-point home favorites against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Memphis led by as much as 25 points while allowing a stingy 34.8 percent shooting.
Grizzlies guard O.J. Mayo notched a season-high 29 points, sinking 5-of-9 from three-point land. The 22-year-old added five assists and three steals.
Memphis’ Rudy Gay broke the 20-point barrier for a third straight game, finishing with 25 points and six rebounds. The Maryland native connected on 11-of-22 shots from the field.
The lopsided affair’s 198 combined points ducked below the ‘total’ of 210 ½, bringing the ‘under’ to 2-0 in the Grizzlies’ last two games. Memphis was outrebounded, 57-43, while being helped by 29 Timberwolves’ turnovers.
Memphis is 2-6 ATS in its last eight road games, with the ‘over’ going 5-3.
Grizzlies big man Zach Randolph has missed two games with a back injury and is listed as “questionable” by DonBest.com to play Tuesday. The nine-year veteran averaged 20.8 PPG and 11.8 RPG last season.
Memphis is 6-3 ATS in its last nine meetings against the Lakers, with the ‘under’ also 6-3.
Los Angeles failed to cover ATS as a 5 ½-point road favorite in a 99-98 win against the Grizzlies last February, with the battle’s 197 combined points dipping ‘under’ the ‘total’ of 198. Bryant and Mayo led the scoring for their respective squads with 32 and 25 points, respectively.
Tuesday’s tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (PT), with NBA TV providing the national television coverage.
Both squads are playing the front end of a back-to-back spot. Memphis continues on the road against Golden State as part of Wednesday’s league schedule, while Los Angeles travels to meet the Sacramento Kings on the same card.