NBA Betting Trends - Suns Welcome the Grizzlies
By BetUS Staff
The Phoenix Suns (52-17) have already won the Pacific Division title, but they continue to play hard, as they take on the Memphis Grizzlies (17-53) tonight, owners of the NBA's worst record.
Phoenix has lost three out of five straight up and is trying to avoid its second set of back-to-back losses this month. After beating Sacramento at home by 18 points on Thursday, the Suns lost to the Kings 107-100 on Sunday.
Phoenix is the highest-scoring team in the league at 110.1 points per game, but managed only 20 in the fourth quarter on Sunday. Steve Nash had 18 points and nine assists, but the two-time league MVP also committed seven of the team's 13 turnovers.
The Suns had a five-point lead early in the fourth quarter before they allowed the Kings to get hot in the final period and hand Phoenix just its third loss in 12 division games.
The Suns are 1-6 ATS (against the spread) in their last seven games when playing on zero days rest. As well, they are 1-5 ATS in their last six games when their starting five players combine for more than 160 minutes of the previous day, the case yesterday.
The Suns own the NBA's second-best record behind Dallas and have wrapped up the sixth division title in franchise history. They would, however, prefer to go into the playoffs with some momentum.
The Grizzlies have lost eight of their last eleven visits to Phoenix, since the franchise moved to Memphis in 2001.
This is the second contest of a six-game road trip for the Grizzlies, who are a league-worst 5-29 on the road. Memphis has lost three straight, including a 118-108 defeat to the Utah Jazz on Saturday.
While scoring hasn't been a problem recently, Memphis remains the league's worst defensive team, allowing opponents to shoot 48.6 percent.
The Suns are 2-0 straight up against the Grizzlies this season. However, the Grizzlies are 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings in Phoenix. Also, the road team is 7-1 ATS in the last eight meetings between the two overall, much to the delight of Memphis backers.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Phoenix Suns
Monday, March 26 --- US Airways Center, Phoenix, AZ --- 10pm EST
Line: -15 (225½)
