PLAYOFF PUSH: LAKERS HOST GRIZZLIES ON FRIDAY

by TYLER WOGALTER

Line: Lakers -2.5, Total: 191.5

Last Meeting: The Grizzlies defeated the Lakers 106-93 in Memphis on 1/23/13

Matchup

With only seven games left in their season, the Los Angeles Lakers can see the postseason in sight. But they will need to win games down the stretch, including Friday’s matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies at 10:30 ET in Los Angeles. With a half-game lead over the Utah Jazz for the final spot in the Western Conference playoffs, the Lakers must continue securing victories to keep their season alive. Their journey will be difficult, especially on Friday against a Memphis team currently riding a four-game winning streak. The Grizzlies have been dominant all season and will look to take a wave of momentum with them into the playoffs.

The Grizzlies have secured their spot in the postseason and are seeded 5^th in the Western Conference. Because the other Los Angeles basketball team won their division, the only way for Memphis to improve their playoff standing is by finishing with more wins than Denver, which will grant them the 3 seed. The Lakers have a half-game lead over the Jazz for the 8^th seed and trail the 7^th seeded Houston rockets by 3 games.

Betting Information

The Lakers are 39-36 straight up and 31-44 against the spread on the season. At home, Los Angeles is 24-12 SU and 17-19 ATS. Against the total, the Lakers are 40-34 Over and are averaging 102.3 PPG.

Memphis has a record of 51-24 SU and 42-32 ATS. While playing on the road, the Grizzlies are 21-16 SU and 22-15 ATS. Against the total, Memphis is 42-32 Under on the year and are putting up 93.8 PPG.

Injuries

Lakers point guard Steve Nash is listed as doubtful for Friday’s game with a hamstring injury. Nash missed the Lakers previous game on Tuesday and is not likely to play against Memphis. Los Angeles will miss Nash and his 12.7 PPG and 6.7 APG if the two-time MVP is unable to suit up.

What to watch for

One major difference between these teams is how many points they allow per game. While the Grizzlies lead the league in points allowed with 89.8 PPG, the Lakers rank 24^thand average 101.3 PPG to opponents. Pay attention to Memphis’ incredible defense, which will be on display in LA on Friday.

Kobe Bryant has played well beyond his years recently, notching a triple-double and scoring over 30 points three different times over the Lakers past five games. Watch for the Black Mamba to take over this game on Friday and light up the Grizzlies for 30.

If Steve Nash is out of service, look for Grizzlies point guard Michael Conley to be seen throughout this one. Conley has improved his game this season, scoring more than he ever has in his career. Keep an eye on Conley and his 14.5 PPG and 6.2 APG to torch Lakers backup Steve Blake in Nash’s absence.

The pick

Although I think the Lakers will sneak their way into the postseason, I believe the outcome of this game will favor the Grizzlies. Los Angeles has been playing significantly better basketball in the second half of their season, but that won’t stop Memphis from sweeping their season series with the Lake Show. The Grizzlies big men will be too much for the Lakers to handle, adding another defeat to the Lakers loss column and another thousand discussions of whether Kobe, Dwight, Steve and Pau will be playing ball after the regular season has commenced on April 17th. I like the Grizzlies to handle the aging Lakers on the road, 104-96.

Source: ESPN

TWO OF THE BEST OF THE WESTERN CONFERENCE: GRIZZLIES VS. CLIPPERS

by MICHAELANGELO MILLER

Line Breakdown

The Memphis Grizzlies are 36-25 against the spread, going 18-10 ATS while on the road and have gone 34-25-2 Under. The Los Angeles Clippers are 37-28 ATS, 20-12 ATS at home and have posted a 34-30-1 Over record against the total.

Injuries

Grizzlies forward, Darrell Arthur, will be questionable for the game. The Clippers will continue to be without Trey Thompkins (F), who is suffering from a knee injury. Fellow teammates, Eric Bledsoe (G) and Caron Butler (F) are likely to miss the game as well for the Clippers with a calf and elbow injury respectively.

Match-Up

The Grizzlies are no stranger to the Clippers as the two teams have faced each other twice before. In their last contest, the Grizzlies lost handedly, 99-73. The Clippers weren’t even at full strength as they were without Chris Paul (PG) in the game. They are 2-0 in this match-up and with two games left in the series, they’d like nothing more than to sweep the Grizzlies in the regular season. However, Memphis isn’t going to just roll over and let that happen. The Grizzlies have won 4 straight games and that could turn into 5 straight if they manage to beat the Portland Trailblazers.

A more interesting statistic is that in their last 13 games, the Grizzlies have only lost one time. They certainly have a lot of momentum carrying them into the Clippers game. Look for Memphis to rely on Zach Randolph (PF) who is averaging 15.7 points per game and 11.6 rebounds per game. As a team, the Grizzlies are averaging 93.7 PPG, 42.8 RPG, 21.3 assists per game and they have allowed only 89.4 PPG to opponents, which is best in the NBA.

The Clippers are considered one of the best teams in the NBA this season and they are certainly the best team in Los Angeles, much to the dismay of Laker fans around the world. They know how important a match-up like this is especially with Memphis nipping at their heels in the standings. Look for the Clippers to rely on the tandem of Chris Paul (PG, averaging 7 APG) and Blake Griffin (PF, averaging 18 PPG / 8 RPG) to pull them through this game and to represent the aptly named ‘Lob City’ moniker. Collectively, the Clippers are averaging 101.1 PPG, 41.5 RPG, 23.7 APG and are allowing 94.4 PPG to opposing teams.

Sources: ESPN