NBA Betting? Trail Blazers vs Grizzlies Predictions
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NBA Basketball Odds
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Series Odds: Grizzlies -210, Trail Blazers +180Series Scheduling:
Game 1 @MEM: 8 p.m. ET, Sunday (TNT)
Game 2 @MEM: 8 p.m. ET, Wednesday (TNT)
Game 3 @POR: 10:30 p.m. ET, April 25 (ESPN)
Game 4 @POR: 10:30 p.m. ET, April 27 (TNT)
Game 5 @MEM: TBD, April 29 (TBD)*
Game 6 @POR: TBD, May 1 (TBD)*
Game 7 @MEM: TBD, May 3 (TBD)*
*If necessary
The Blazers had another strong season. They won the Northwest Division pretty easily as Oklahoma City really only made a charge late and even that came up short of making the playoffs. Unfortunately they did not emerge unscathed in the injury department as Wesley Matthews, an underrated contributor will be missing the series. They are the higher seed but the odds show they are actually the underdog.
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Memphis probably had a disappointing regular season but they are going to be a tricky out as they are on of the rare breeds of team that plays playoff style basketball all season long. As you can see from the series price they are actually pretty solid favourite and I agree with that assessment. They have a solid lineup and this group is very businesslike. They expect to win whichs is a good quality this time of year.
Starters
Portland has two elite players in Lamarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard. Both can score and they are very dangerous in the two man game. The rest of the starting lineup are more role players. Nicolas Batum can get hot from the outside and Matthews replacement Arron Afflalo, who is also dinged up, has some game but it is going to be up to the All-Star duo to get this group to the next round.
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The Grizzlies definitely have more depth to their lineup. Either Marc Gasol or Zach Randolph can be given the responsibility of checking Aldridge and Mike Conley should be able to hold his own against Lillard. It will be interesting to see if they go with more offense (Jeff Green) or defense (Tony Allen) for this series. My guess is they can get away with Green because of Portland’s limited options.
Advantage: Memphis…but its close.
Bench
The Blazers lost some significant depth with Matthews being out. Other than being able to throw size that Gasol and ZeBo there is not a lot to like about their reserves. A lot of untested players who are going to give much.
Memphis prefers to play at a slower pace but that is not because they don’t have depth. Allen is a defensive stopper and Kostas Koufos has legit size to bother bigs. They also have good reserves to give Conley a blow and Vince Carter, remember him, still has some game.
Advantage: Memphis
Coaching
Terry Stotts’ time in Atlanta was nothing memorable. This is the second time he has led Portland to the playoffs and last year he was able to get them into the second round. Not bad considering this teams is not oozing with talent. With this group he seems to be able to get them to win the games they are supposed to.
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Dave Joerger increased the win total for the Grizzlies in his second season but they are hoping for better results in the playoffs. Last year they lost in the first round but perhaps this year they can go further. If not the Grizzlies might be looking for yet another leader. This group isn’t getting any younger.
Advantage: Even
Prediction: Even though they do not have home court advantage the oddsmakers have installed the Grizzlies as the favourite…and I agree with them. Thie individual games may be tight but I think the Grizzlies will win this series in five games. In terms of making some money look to back Memphis on the road. This team will show well on the road and the spreads will be more favourable. Game one might be the best value.
Check out our Updated NBA Betting Odds.
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