The Memphis Grizzlies look to bounce back from their first defeat in two weeks when they visit Chris Paul and the Los Angeles Clippers, Thursday Jan 26th. The Clippers have won two straight over the Grizzlies. NBA oddsmakers have the Clippers as -3.5 point home favorites over the Grizzlies with the over/under set at 192.5 points. Be sure to check the Memphis Grizzlies vs LA Clippers 2012 NBA Picks before the game tips off.
Memphis (10-7, 4-5 V) lost in Portland 84-97 on Tuesday night. Portland limited Memphis to 38 percent shooting (34-of-90). The Blazers’ defense was particularly notable during the third quarter, when the Grizzlies went more than nine minutes before getting their first field goal of the second half. Memphis’ starting five scored just 36 points and shot just 15-of-51 from the field. O.J. Mayo came off the bench to lead the Grizzlies with 20 points. Rudy Gay, Memphis’ leading scorer at 18.9 points per game, had just 11. The loss dropped Memphis out of a first-place tie with Dallas and San Antonio in the Southwest Division.
The Grizzlies, who last dropped two in a row during the three-game skid from Jan. 6-10 that preceded their winning streak, will try to avoid a third consecutive loss to the Clippers. Gay has averaged 21.1 points on 52.6 percent shooting in 15 career games versus the Clippers, but a shoulder injury forced him to miss Memphis’ final three meetings against them last season. OJ Mayo has scored at least 20 points in two of the last three games overall, but he’s totaled just 15 on 5-of-25 shooting in the last three against the Clippers.
LA Clippers (9-6, 8-2 H) lost to the Lakers 91-96 on Wednesday night. Blake Griffin scored 26 points for the Clippers, while Caron Butler and Mo Williams added 16 points each. Chris Paul returned to the Clippers’ lineup after missing five games with a sore hamstring, and finished with just four points but had 12 assists in 26 minutes as coach Vinny Del Negro eased him back into action. “I’ve been getting better day by day,” Paul told the Clippers’ official website. “(The team has) been trying to protect me from myself. I’ve been wanting to go for a while, but the team has been unbelievable, knowing what’s in my best interest.”
Chris Paul was not at his best in his last two games against Memphis last season, totaling five points on 2-of-14 shooting while with New Orleans. Those outings came after he scored 43 in his first two contests against the Grizzlies in 2010-11. Teammate Blake Griffin had 31 and 10 boards in the Clippers’ 110-103 home win over Memphis on April 13 in the teams’ most recent meeting.
Recent Trends to Consider:
Grizzlies are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Los Angeles.
Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
Underdog is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
Road team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
Clippers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a S.U. loss.
Clippers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games.
Grizzlies are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games playing on 1 days rest.
Grizzlies are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 Thursday games.
Grizzlies are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
Grizzlies are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. NBA Pacific.
Memphis Grizzlies vs LA Clippers
When: Thursday, Jan 25th@10:30 PM EST
Pick: Clippers -3.5
Point-Spreads recommends you check the Grizzlies vs Clippers 2012 NBA Point Spreads before the game tips off.
The Bottom Line: fatigue could play a big factor in this game for the Clippers. I got to give the advantage to the Grizzlies. NBA Point Spreads Expert Tyler Morgan turned in another successful NBA weekend. Morgan is now 5-2 and his 2011-2012 NBA Picks record is an astounding 10-2 (83 %). Tyler’s moves put thousands of dollars into his clients hands week after week during the regular season. The good news for NBA bettors is – TYLER MORGAN’S PICKS ARE FREE – unlike most self proclaimed experts who charge big bucks to subscribers. Put a few Morgan Silver Dollars in your bank account during the 2012 NBA season by getting Tyler’s winning plays for FREE. Feel free to sign up to get NBA Picks Free!
