NBA Sports Odds and Preview Capsules: April 12
Atssportsline.com
The NBA regular season is nearing the end as this is the last big Friday before the playoffs begin next Saturday. There will be no NBA games next Thursday and Friday. There is a full schedule tonight with some meaningful games while other teams are either locked in their seed or completely out of it. In the West, the Lakers are trying to hold on the eighth seed with Utah one game back. Take a look at some of the betting tips below for the NBA's top games on Friday. Looking for winners for the NBA regular season, playoffs and baseball? Go to ATS Sportsline. We have all your basketball betting statistics, matchups and odds.
Memphis (53-25 SU, 43-33-2 ATS, 30-47-1 O/U) at Houston (44-34 SU, 40-37-1 ATS, 39-39 O/U)
Intangibles:
Memphis is 20-7 SU since the All-Star break
Houston will likely be without forward Chandler Parsons due to a calf injury
Houston has won 13 straight home games in this series
Last game: (3/29/13) Memphis (-4.5) over Houston, 103-94.
Keys to Success: The Grizzlies have four games left and are fifth in the conference because they are four games behind San Antonio in the Southwest Division. They are one game behind Denver, who also has four games left. The Grizzlies are playing very well, having won six of their last seven and are 22-17 SU on the road. Houston is 28-11 SU at home this year and has won five of their last six. They've played their last four without Chandler Parsons (calf), but Greg Smith (6-10, 250) has stepped up, while they've gone with a three-guard lineup. Memphis will try and use Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol inside to bully the Rockets. Houston is currently in seventh place in the West, just a 1/2 game behind Golden State.
Memphis is coming off a 94-75 win over Charlotte at home on Tuesday, giving 13.5. Houston beat Phoenix at home on Tuesday, 101-98, but didn't cover the 14.5. Houston is 6-1 ATS last 7 at home in series. NBA Odds: Houston is a 2.5-point betting odds favorite. Total: 193.
Golden State (45-34 SU, 39-39-1 ATS, 45-33-1 O/U) at Los Angeles (42-37 SU, 32-45-2 ATS, 41-37-1 O/U)
Intangibles:
The Lakers are one game up on the Jazz for the final playoff spot in the West
Golden State center Andrew Bogut (ankle) was injured on Thursday and is listed as doubtful
Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard are complaining about their lack of inside touches
Last game: (3/25/13) Golden State (-1) over Los Angeles Lakers, 109-103.
Keys to Success: Kobe Bryant poured in 47 points against Portland on Wednesday but his teammates aren't thrilled. What else is new? Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol were probably not great fits with Bryant and not having Steve Nash (hip) the last five games hasn't helped. Nash is questionable tonight in a must-win game for the Lakers. Golden State is coming off a blowout loss to Oklahoma City last night and they risk slipping to seventh place in the West if they lose and Houston wins. The Warriors will have to play small ball tonight with Bogut likely out again due to an ankle injury. Stephen Curry will need a big game to lift the Warriors.
Golden State is coming off a 116-97 loss on Thursday to Oklahoma City, getting 4 at home. The Lakers has won two straight and five of six. On Wednesday, they beat Portland on the road, 113-106, giving 6.5. Golden State is 0-4 ATS last 4 on Friday games. Pro Hoops Odds: The Lakers are a 6.5-point betting odds favorite. Total: 206.0.