NBA Basketball
2011-01-26 - Memphis Grizzlies at New Jersey Nets
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NBA Basketball
Wednesday 26 January 2011 - Tip-Off 7pm ET
Midnight (British Standard Time)
Preview
The Memphis Grizzlies (22-23) are on a good solid run at the moment and the talk has become about making the Play Offs this season in the Western Conference. It would be a step in the right direction for a team that has not had the best few seasons and are looking to keep Marc Gasol happy enough to sign a new contract.
Rudy Gay will look to get back on track for the Grizzlies who will be aiming to tie their season high number of consecutive wins at 4 here. Gay has averaged a career high 20 points per game this season but is shooting just 36% from the field in his last 5 games. However, he must be feeling good about himself after it was his buzzer beating shot that led the Grizzlies to their latest win at Toronto.
This might be difficult for the player against his nemesis the New Jersey Nets (13-32). Gay has struggled in his career against the Nets and is averaging 15 points per game and shooting at under 40% from the field in 9 career games, his worst percentage against any team in the NBA. However, his last 2 trips to New Jersey has seen him average 26 points and he scored a team high 29 in his last game.
Zach Randolph will be looking to increase the franchise record of consecutive double-doubles to 12 and has averaged 23 points and 14 rebounds in the last 11 games he has played.
The Nets themselves are coming into the game on an emotional high as they chased down the Cleveland Cavaliers and won with 1.4 seconds left on the clock courtesy of a shot from Brook Lopez to record their 3rd win from 4 home games.
Lopez is avergaing a career high of 19 points per game this season, but has been even more impressive over the last 7 games where he has 24 points per game and shooting at 57% from the field. The big man will be confident he can continue that momentum as he is a career 57% shooter against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Head to Head
The two teams have split the last 8 games against one another. Memphis have won on 2 of their last 3 visits to New Jersey.
The Nets are 4-1 against the spread in recent matches between the teams.
New Jersey are 12-9 against the spread at home this season, Memphis are 15-10 on the road.
New Jersey are 10-13 against the spread on 1 days rest, Memphis are 11-9 on the same amount of time.
Other Interesting Notes
New Jersey are 11-5 against the spread in their last 16 home games.
They are 4-1 against the spread as the underdog, but are 2-8 when playing a team with a losing record on the road.
Memphis are 20-8 against the spread in their last 28 games overall, and are 12-5 on the road.
They are 1-6 against the spread when considered the favourite on the road.
Prediction
Memphis are definitely playing some good basketball of late and the players seem full of confidence that they can win any game they play and have thus been involved in some really close games. The last 10 games they have played have been mainly against some of the better teams in the NBA and they have not disgraced themselves at all.
New Jersey have been a lot better than last season, when they were truly a terrible team, and they have proven to be a much tougher team at home.
Both teams have put in a lot of effort in recent games, especially Memphis, and I feel this could go against them a little here. I feel the game is another close one and there could be some benefits of playing the home team with a number of points in the bag.
I feel the Grizzlies could be due a little let down after playing so many games with a real emotional toll on them and will take the Nets to cover with the points.
The Pick :
New Jersey Nets 101-102 Memphis Grizzlies
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll take the points again and pick the New Jersey Nets +3.5 PointsFollow me on Twitter @DavindaAulak
