More Troubles
The Memphis Grizzlies’ struggles were compounded Friday when the team lost its best post player to a back injury. The Los Angeles Clippers’ nightmare season, however, has gotten a little bit brighter with good news concerning their top big man.
The Grizzlies could be without Pau Gasol for the second consecutive game Saturday when they host the Clippers, who hope Elton Brand can return to action within the next month.
Oddsmakers from SBG Global have made Memphis –4 point spread favorites (NBA Odds) for today’s game, the over/under has been set at 200.5 total points (Matchup). Our public betting information shows that 56% of bets for this game have been placed on Los Angeles +4 (View NBA Bet Percentages).
Gasol missed Memphis’ 104-93 loss to Washington on Friday night because of a sore back. Gasol, averaging 23.4 points, 11.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists while shooting 57.1 percent from the field in his last seven games, warmed up with the team but was ruled out about 30 minutes before the game. He’s day-to-day.
Brand, meanwhile, has been cleared to begin extensive running and jumping exercises on the court for the first time since tearing his left Achilles’ tendon last summer. Brand, who averaged 20.5 points and 9.3 rebounds last season, was injured Aug. 3, and underwent surgery four days later. He’s aiming for a February return.
Without Brand all season, the Clippers (13-26) have the worst record in the Pacific Division.
The Grizzlies (12-31) have dropped 14 of 18 games and are last in the Southwest Division. They were outscored 30-9 in the first quarter of Friday’s loss.
"It was one of the poorest halves we’ve played," said Memphis coach Marc Iavaroni, whose team fell to 2-3 without Gasol, who missed four games in December with an injured toe. "It’s not good enough to play two-thirds of a half and expect to win in this league."
Starting point guard Mike Conley joined Gasol on the Memphis sideline after suffering a contusion in his right chest and rib cage early in the third quarter. The rookie is also day-to-day.
Despite its struggles, Los Angeles has been encouraged by the development of center Chris Kaman, who’s averaging 17.2 points and 13.9 rebounds – easily surpassing his previous career highs of 11.9 points and 9.6 boards, set in 2005-06.
Kaman had 14 rebounds Friday, but was held to a season low-tying nine points in the Clippers’ 111-92 loss at New Orleans. It was just the 10th time in 39 games he’s failed to record a double-double.
The Clippers gave up a season-high 14 3-pointers in their latest defeat. That doesn’t bode well as they head to Memphis to face the Grizzlies, who are fifth in the league with 350 3-pointers.
Mike Miller had five 3-pointers in Friday’s game, and is tied for fifth in the league with 96. He had three 3s and 23 points in the Grizzlies’ first meeting with the Clippers, but Memphis was just 6-for-22 from behind the arc in the 98-91 loss on Dec. 14.
Kaman had 23 points and 16 rebounds in that game – Los Angeles’ fourth straight win in the series after dropping 11 of the previous 13 games.
By: Marc Young – theSpread.com – Email Us
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