Grizzlies Back Against the Wall in Game 3 Versus Spurs
The NBA Western Conference first round best of seven series between the visiting San Antonio Spurs and host Memphis Grizzlies tips off Thursday with Game 3. The current line has San Antonio favored by 3.5 points with the over/under point total on 184.5.
Entering Game 3, San Antonio is 6-4 straight up and 5-4-1 against the spread in its past 10 games played, while Memphis over the same period is 3-7 SU and 4-6 ATS. San Antonio leads this series 2-0.
The Spurs won the first two games of the series in impressive fashion holding the Grizzlies to 82 points in each of their wins at home. Memphis could not control the Spurs shooting forward Kawhi Leonard. After two games in the series Leonard is averaging 34.5 points per game.
Memphis does not have Tony Allen its top defender who is out with a calf injury. Every player to cover Leonard thus far has been unsuccessful. Memphis center Marc Gasol scored 32 points in a Game 1 loss, but managed just 12 points in Game 2 hitting just 4 of his 15 shots from the field.
Leonard is the focal point on the Spurs but veteran point guard Tony Parker has stepped up his game, power forward LaMarcus Aldridge is creating problems for Memphis down low, while Pau Gasol is coming off the bench adding both scoring and rebounding to the mix.
Memphis point guard Mike Conley knows his team is behind the eight-ball, but cannot let things out of their control, like the officiating, bother them.
Memphis was 2-0 against San Antonio at home during the regular with an averaging winning margin of 11.5 points.
San Antonio’s Parker has averaged 16.5 points per game through the first two games of the series.
Memphis’ Conley was his team’s high scorer in Game 2 with 24 points, but scored just 13 in Game 1.
San Antonio is 3-1-1 ATS in its past 5 games on the road.
San Antonio is 3-8 ATS in its past 11 games versus opponents from the Southwest division.
Memphis is 1-6-1 ATS in its past 8 games against Western Conference opponents.
Prediction: Memphis is behind the eight-ball, and San Antonio is in attack mode. Lean here toward the visiting Spurs to cover the number.
