The Memphis Grizzlies hope to stave off elimination tonight, Friday May 13th, and pick up the spirits of a flood-ravaged city when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of the Western Conference semi-finals. The winner will face the Dallas Mavericks in the Conference finals. NBA oddsmakers have the Grizzlies as -1.5 point home favourites over the Thunder with the over/under set at 195.5 points. Be sure to check the Thunder vs Grizzlies NBA Point Spreads and get your predictions in early.
Oklahoma City (7-3, 2-2 V) won Game 5, at home, 99-72 to take a 3-2 series lead heading into tonight’s decisive Game 6. Kevin Durant hit 7 of 14 from the field and finished with 19pts, while Nazr Mohammed and Daequan Cook combined for 28pts. They shot 47% from the field, 45% from beyond the arch and 76% at the line. The Thunder had a 20-7 edge in fast-break points, and the run-outs got easier as the game dragged on. Oklahoma City had the edge in second-chance points, 18-9. Even more shockingly, points in the paint favored the Thunder 46-42. "The close-out game in basketball is the hardest game to play because they're going to give everything they have, and their crowd is going to get behind them," Brooks said on Thursday. "And we just have to really be able to maintain our composure and play through everything and just play with force and play together." OKC is averaging 102.9ppg on the road while giving up an average 101.6ppg. In their last five games they’ve averaged 107.4ppg while allowing 102.4ppg.
Memphis (6-5, 4-1 H) had one of their worst games of their playoff run. Marc Gasol was the only player to finish with double digit points (15). As a team they shot 35% from the field, 25% from the three and 60% at the line. Several Grizzlies were running on fumes, most notably Zach Randolph. The Grizzlies' go-to guy played 56 minutes in Game 4, contributing to his dead-legged, nine-point performance Wednesday. "It probably was [a factor]," coach Lionel Hollins said in response to the fatigue question. "We're not feeling sorry for ourselves. We have to go home and regroup and be ready to play," Hollins said. "The series is not over by any means … I still believe in my team and that we'll come back." The odds are now significantly stacked against Memphis. In 159 previous instances of a seven-game NBA playoff series being tied, 2-2, the winner of Game 5 has won 132 times (83 percent). The Grizz are averaging 103ppg at home while giving up an average 96ppg. In their last five games they’ve averaged 102.4ppg while allowing 107.4ppg.
Recent Trends to Consider:
Over is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings.
Home team is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
Grizzlies are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 games after scoring less than 75 points in their previous game.
Grizzlies are 8-0-1 ATS in their last 9 games following a SU loss of more than 10 points.
Grizzlies are 12-2 ATS in their last 14 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Grizzlies are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 games as a home favorite of 0.5-4.5.
Thunder are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 road games.
Thunder are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Thunder are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 75 points in their previous game.
Thunder vs Grizzlies
When: Friday, May-13, 9:00 PM ET
Pick: Grizzlies -1.5
Point-Spreads.com recommends you check out NBA Point Spreads before Thunder vs Grizzlies game.
The Bottom Line: The Grizzlies will be well rested and we will see a red hot Zebo take matters into his own hands. Be sure to check Thunder vs Grizzlies Basketball Point Spreads and get your predictions in early.
