NBA Handicapping Predictions – Magic vs Grizzlies
While the injury-plagued Magic are locked into the 6th spot in the Eastern Conference the Grizzlies have a lot on the line in this home game.
Venue/ Stadium: FedExForum, Memphis, TN
Time/Date: 8 PM EST Thursday, April 26, 2012
NCAA Odds From: Bovada
Moneyline: OFF
Spread (ATS): Memphis -15
Over/Under: 186
Orlando Magic vs. Memphis Grizzlies Preview
The Griz are one of the hottest teams in the league winners of 13 of their last 16 games and they have won 10 straight at home. They will face the Clippers in the first round of the playoffs and if they win this game they will have home court in that series, but if they lose the series will start in La La Land.
In their last games the Magic beat the Charlotte Bobcats 102-95 and the Grizzlies beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 109-101.
This season the Magic are 33-32 ATS with an O/U record of 33-30-2 and the Grizzlies are 29-36 ATS with an O/U record of 26-39.
The reason the Grizzlies are hit is they are playing great defense holding opponents to 91.2 ppg in their last 16 games.
The Magic are shorthanded big time, as Dwight Howard is out for the season, Glen Davis is unlikely to play tonight with an ankle injury, and Hedo Turkoglu is questionable for tonight’s game.
With 2 big guys out for the Magic their guards have to play well and shoot the rock well beyond the 3-point arc. That responsibility will fall on J.J. Reddick, Jameer Nelson, Jason Richardson, and F Ryan Anderson. Reddick is averaging 16 ppg while hitting 40.7% from beyond the arc over the last 10 games. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Memphis has won 8 of their last 9 games at home facing Orlando and tonight’s game is the only match up between the teams.
The Magic may have a tough time tonight facing Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph since they lack healthy big men. Little used guys will get PT in this game such as F Earl Clark and PF Daniel Orton and these guys have to play good D inside and also give Orlando some scoring so the Griz do not pack the perimeter with defenders.
Rudy Gay leads the Grizzlies in scoring and O.J. Mayo and Mike Conley are each averaging over 12 ppg so the Magic have to play good all around defense in this game.
In some betting trends for this non-conference match up the Magic are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 road games, 3-10 ATS in their last 13 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record, and they have an Over record of 4-1 in their last 5 games.
The Grizzlies are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games overall, 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a S.U. win, an they have an Over record of 4-1 in their last 5 home games.
Jason’s Pick: The Grizzlies have not been a good ATS team lately, but I think they will crush the Magic tonight and cover the spread.