NBA Handicapping Predictions – Clippers vs Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are on the verge of being eliminated by the Los Angeles Clippers.
NBA Basketball Matchup: #5 Los Angeles Clippers (3-1) vs. #4 Memphis Grizzlies (1-3)
Date/Time: May 9, 9:30 PM EST on TNT
NBA Gambling Odds from Bovada
NBA Betting Favorite: Grizzlies -6
Over/Under: 183.5
Memphis returns home Wednesday night to the FedEx Forum where they have a terrific home court advantage. The Grizzlies blowing a huge lead in Game One is the difference in the series thus far.
Can Memphis string together three wins and get past the Clippers? They’ll have to start by taking care of business in this one.
Chris Paul took over Monday night when the game went into overtime. Paul had 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists in the Clippers 101-97 crucial win in Game Four Monday. It wasn’t just the statistics though. Paul was great at all the right times, and he really willed his team to victory.
Nick Young has quietly been a major contributor to the Clippers in this series. Young is shooting 61% from three-point range in this series, and he is putting up 10.5 points per game. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Mo Williams hit the clutch free throws that sealed the victory Monday night, and he is a nice asset for this team. Kenyon Martin doesn’t play big minutes, but his defense has been exceptional in this series.
Memphis has had a chance to win all three games they have lost in this series, but they couldn’t pull them out in crunch time. Finishing the game seems to be an issue for the Grizzlies right now. Last year Rudy Gay wasn’t in the lineup and the Grizzlies were spectacular. Gay is the team’s most talented player, but it seems that right now their team chemistry isn’t quite what it needs to be.
Marc Gasol had the best regular season of his career, but he has been non-existent through large portions of this series. Mike Conley has done a great job penetrating the lane, and this team is at its best when he is being aggressive on offense.
The oddsmakers are fully expecting the Grizzlies to force a Game Six in this one. I think Memphis wins this game, but I hate to lay six points against a Clippers team playing with a ton of confidence.
Instead, I believe the best value here is the under. Elimination games tend to stay lower scoring.
NBA Free Pick: Under 183.5
