Nick "BookieKiller" Parsons
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS -5.5
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]For a number of different reasons I feel the value in this matchup is on the visitors:
With Iverson likely out, Memphis tries to avoid losing its sixth consecutive game when it hosts a Trail Blazers team looking to win its third straight with a new lineup.
Portland (4-3), which is opening a five-game road trip, has won two in a row since switching to a three-guard lineup featuring Brandon Roy, Andre Miller and Steve Blake. The Blazers defeated San Antonio 96-84 on Friday and beat Minnesota 116-93 on Sunday and I expect them to carry that momentum into this evenings game.
Coach Nate McMillan’s new offense looks to continue its production against a Memphis team allowing an average of 120.0 points on 51.6 % shooting during its skid.
Keep in mind that dating back to last season Portland is 12-6 ATS its last 18 and 5-2 ATS its last seven on the road.
On the other side of the court: The Grizzlies, who haven’t won since beating Toronto on Oct. 30, have lost seven straight to the Trail Blazers since a 96-92 victory March 29, 2007.
The Grizzlies are really struggling right now on the court, and will now also have to deal with Allen Iverson's "off-court" antics as he's taken an indefinite leave of absence to deal with "personal matters", and there are now rumors coming out of Memphis that he is planning to retire.
Dating back to last season Memphis is a horrible 3-6-1 ATS in its last ten games overall and is just 8-16 SU its last 24 at home.
Bottom line: No need to over-analyze this one. Look for McMillan to have his guys ready to take advantage of this team in disarray; play on PORTLAND!
*9* BLAZERS.[/FONT]
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS -5.5
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]For a number of different reasons I feel the value in this matchup is on the visitors:
With Iverson likely out, Memphis tries to avoid losing its sixth consecutive game when it hosts a Trail Blazers team looking to win its third straight with a new lineup.
Portland (4-3), which is opening a five-game road trip, has won two in a row since switching to a three-guard lineup featuring Brandon Roy, Andre Miller and Steve Blake. The Blazers defeated San Antonio 96-84 on Friday and beat Minnesota 116-93 on Sunday and I expect them to carry that momentum into this evenings game.
Coach Nate McMillan’s new offense looks to continue its production against a Memphis team allowing an average of 120.0 points on 51.6 % shooting during its skid.
Keep in mind that dating back to last season Portland is 12-6 ATS its last 18 and 5-2 ATS its last seven on the road.
On the other side of the court: The Grizzlies, who haven’t won since beating Toronto on Oct. 30, have lost seven straight to the Trail Blazers since a 96-92 victory March 29, 2007.
The Grizzlies are really struggling right now on the court, and will now also have to deal with Allen Iverson's "off-court" antics as he's taken an indefinite leave of absence to deal with "personal matters", and there are now rumors coming out of Memphis that he is planning to retire.
Dating back to last season Memphis is a horrible 3-6-1 ATS in its last ten games overall and is just 8-16 SU its last 24 at home.
Bottom line: No need to over-analyze this one. Look for McMillan to have his guys ready to take advantage of this team in disarray; play on PORTLAND!
*9* BLAZERS.[/FONT]