NBA Playoffs Odds: San Antonio Spurs vs Memphis Grizzlies Series
Saturday, April 16, 2011
by Bodog Sportsbook
The San Antonio Spurs and Memphis Grizzlies have drawn each other in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. They hook up for Game 1 of their NBA betting series on Sunday.
San Antonio (61-21, 45-35-2 ATS) lost its final two games of the season but, with first place clinched, the team had shut things down to rest for the postseason. Before those back-to-back giveaway losses, the Spurs had won four straight.
But even with the Spurs slowing things down, they couldn’t avoid injuries. Manu Ginobili suffered a hyperextended elbow just two minutes into the season finale, though the injury doesn’t appear to be too serious.
The Spurs have opened as 6-point favorites on Bodog Sportsbook’s Live NBA Basketball Odds.
Ginobili is part of the Big Three that carry the club including Tony Parker and Tim Duncan. Duncan has noticeably declined this season, but he should be well-rested after averaging a career-low 28 minutes per game this season. And while those three get most of the attention, the Spurs also boast terrific reserves. George Hill, Gary Neal, DeJuan Blair and Matt Bonner all regularly make contributions from the bench.
Memphis (46-36, 52-29-1 ATS) had a shot to move up the standings but lost three of its last five games, including the final two. The Grizzlies were also 2-3 against the spread in that span. The club is looking for its first-ever playoff run, and is 0-12 in the postseason in franchise history.
The Grizzlies have one glaring, missing piece Rudy Gay. Gay is Memphis’ clutch shooter, but he’s been out since the All-Star break with a shoulder injury. Gay is done for the year, but at least other players have stepped up. Zach Randolph has been great, and he took the last two games of the year off to nurse some nagging injuries.
Shane Battier is also showing positive signs lately. Battier struggled coming off the bench after being acquired from Houston, but he closed out the season with two very strong games. Battier went 8-for-14 from the field, finishing with 12 and 13 points, respectively.
San Antonio and Memphis split their four games against each other this season, with both teams going 2-0 on their home court. The Grizzlies were 4-0 against the spread, though, and have covered five consecutive games against the Spurs.
Get all your NBA Playoffs Odds at Bodog Sportsbook.
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dejuan blair - gary neal - george hill - manu ginobili - matt bonner - memphis grizzlies - nba betting - rudy gay - san antonio spurs - shane battier