Friday night NBA and I will have a Free Pick in the game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Memphis Grizzlies, which will take place at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee. The game has a start time of 8:00 pm (Eastern) and will be televised on ESPN. Current Vegas betting odds have the Grizzlies listed as 6.5 point favorites, while the total is at 203.
Analysis: The Oklahoma City Thunder are struggling right now as they come in just 1-3 in their last 4 games, which includes a bad 135-131 home loss to the Mavericks on Wednesday night. That loss now drops the thunder to 42-33 on the year overall, and has shrunk their lead over New Orleans for the 8th playoff spot in the West to just a game and a half. OKC has gone 9-2-1 ATS in their last 12 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game, but just 6-14 ATS in their last 20 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. The Thunder have been a good offensive team this year, ranking 5th in scoring (103.6 ppg), 18th in shooting, 23rd in 3 point shooting and 11th in FT shooting. Defensively the Thunder have been below average this year, ranking 21st in points allowed (101.3 ppg), 3rd in defensive FG% and 10th in 3 point defense.
The Memphis Grizzlies come in with tied with the Houston Rockets for the 2nd best record in the West. The Grizzlies are off a win vs the Kings, but prior to that win they were blown out in 3 consecutive games by Cleveland, Golden State and San Antonio. They are not playing well right now. Memphis is 51-24 overall, including 28-9 at home. Memphis has gone 4-1 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game, but just 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games playing on 3 or more days rest. The Grizzlies have been an average offensive team this year, ranking 18th in scoring (98.6 ppg), 9th in shooting, 16th in 3 point shooting and 6th in FT shooting. Defensively the Grizzlies have been very good this year, ranking 2nd in points allowed (95.5 ppg), 12th in defensive FG% and 18th in 3 point defense.
Pick: I will go with the Grizzlies here, who have had a few days off, while the Thunder have been involved in a couple of draining games. Oklahoma City has offense, but this team is really showing that they have no defense and that is something that the Grizzlies have, especially on their home floor where they have allowed just 94 ppg game on the year. The Thunder just allowed Dallas to hit 62% of their shots and they have allowed 103.2 ppg. Memphis has struggled in step up games of late, but with the time off and being able to focus on this one I see them coming back with a nice win of at least 8 points.
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NBA Free Picks: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Memphis Grizzlies
What Pro basketball bettors need to know about betting Oklahoma City Thunder vs Memphis Grizzlies on Friday (4/03/15) - a free pick from Pregame.com's Steve Fezzik with added insight from Teddy Covers.