NBA Free Premium Plays 04/24: Oklahoma City Thunder @ Memphis Grizzlies

Oklahoma City  at Memphis

NBA - 735 Oklahoma City Thunder @ 736 Memphis Grizzlies Play #1 & #2 For the first three quarters of Game 2, the game was a low scoring affair played @ ridiculous slow pace. It was pretty clear that the Grizzlies didn’t want to allow 32 fast break points to OKC like they did in G1 and so, the tempo of the game was way slower in G2 vs. G1. Then the fourth quarter happened… MEM surprised OKC by playing some small ball lineup w/ Beno Udrih looking like MEM’s MVP as OKC defense didn’t “respect” him properly. MEM finished the quarter shooting almost 60% from the field! Note that MEM scored only 6 points in the paint in that quarter so all the damage was from the outside – bit strange because we are dealing w/ MEM!  On the other end, we had Kevin Durant making an unbelievable 3+1 play, you really need to watch that play! For this contest, I expect the tempo of the game to be more similar to G2 vs. G1 because that’s what the Grizzlies impose to their opponents. Both teams are coming from an OT in which their best players logged more +40min, so, a physical letdown late in the game could happen for both teams. MEM offense was great w/ shooting almost 50% FG but I really don’t expect them to hit +44% FG from 10-15 feet, +57% FG (!!!) from 16-23 feet (“long 2’s jumpers) and even 40% from 3pts land! I also think that OKC defense will be ready to defend MEM’s small ball version if MEM’s coach decides to use it. On the other end, despite some great defense from Tony Allen, the fact is that Kevin Durant finished the game w/ 12-28 FG, 5-12 3pts and 7-8 FT for 36 points. The entire OKC’s bench sucked pretty badly and w/ a slightly improvement from their bench, I think that OKC’s has the tools to bounce back tonight via primarily their defense and so, I’m taking both OKC & Under in here as my Single Dime Plays. Pick: 3 units (Single Dime Play) on 735/736 Under 190 @ -110 / 1.91 on Betonline Pick: 3 units (Single Dime Play) on 735 Oklahoma City Thunder (-2) @ -110 / 1.91 on Bookmaker

NBA Free Premium Play 04/13: Memphis Grizzlies @ Los Angeles Lakers

Memphis  at LA Lakers

NBA - 713 Memphis Grizzlies @ 714 Los Angeles Lakers ***FREE Premium Play*** Classic game of losing team vs. playoff bound team that just can’t afford to lose this contest! Two different styles are going to face each other but IMO, facing the 76ers in the last game was a great warm-up for the Grizzlies tonight… I really liked the fact that in that game, MEM didn’t care to attempt three pointers…they were focused in pounding the awful PHI interior defense and indeed they crushed them w/ 60 points in the paint! Actually, they scored the same number of pts in the paint vs. MIA and obviously, I expect the same mindset from them tonight… LAL have only in J. Hill a capable frontcourt player so, good luck in stopping MEM’s big men… MEM’s deep bench will help us as well… their second unit scored 65 points vs. PHI! Pick: 3 units (Single Dime Play) on 713 Memphis Grizzlies (-12) @ -110 / 1.91 on 5 Dimes

NBA Free Premium Play 03/22: Indiana Pacers @ Memphis Grizzlies

Indiana  at Memphis

NBA - 505 Indiana Pacers @ 506 Memphis Grizzlies Play #2 The Pacers had finally a “good” game vs. top team yesterday as they used a 19-0 run in the third quarter to win the game. They clearly dominated the glass w/ 56.3% reb/rate% but I didn’t like the way they were able to generate points… Note that the Pacers struggled once again to hit outside shots: just 2-11 3pts! Note also that they scored only 32 points in the paint and just 7 fast break points so most of the damage was made via mid/long range shots – that is not a blueprint of success for this team. On the other side, the Grizzlies are coming from a tough loss @MIA in which they had a nice late lead of 7 points before allowing MIA to go on an 11-0 run. MEM used 10 different players in that game w/ all logging more than 10 minutes.  I honestly think that the MEM’s superior depth and chemistry w/ their second unit will be the X factor for this contest vs. a Pacers’ team that typically struggles in b2b games. I expect IND to have the same “mindset” of keep shooting long range shots but they aren’t a consistent shooting team especially in this bad physical spots. I understand that Gasol is a key player for MEM, but the Grizzlies have some nice depth on the frontcourt and w/ fresher legs, I expect them to beat the Pacers in here. Pick: 3 units (Single Dime Play) on 506 Memphis Grizzlies (-2) @ -110 / 1.91 on Bookmaker

NBA Free Premium Play 03/11: Portland Trail Blazers @ Memphis Grizzlies

Portland  at Memphis

NBA - 555 Portland Trail Blazers @ 556 Memphis Grizzlies Play #2 The Grizzlies are playing their best basketball of the season and right now, they have really one of the deepest benches in the league while they are a nightmare matchup for the Blazers. After losing @BKN without ZBO, MEM bounced back and defeated CHI & CHA in L2 games. They simply dominated down low in both games w/ clear edges in the boards + points in the paint. Note that they have faced CHI & CHA – two good interior defensive teams! For this contest, they will face a Blazers’ team that is coming from a tough OT loss @HOU. POR’s head coach doesn’t trust in his bench and only Mo Williams received decent minutes in that game as 3 POR’ starters logged +40min! This can be a huge problem for POR tonight because MEM’s second unit can really change the dynamic of the game in their favor. POR has only Robin Lopez & LMA on the frontcourt (+ Thomas Robinson coming off the bench) and I expect MEM to just pound them down low. POR’ offense will need some sharp outside shooting for tonight but MEM’s defense has been improving pretty fast w/ Marc Gasol, Conley and Tony Allen being healthy. POR has committed 20, 16, 19 & 21 TO’s in L4 games and this can problematic vs. MEM defense that has Conley, Lee & Allen playing considerable minutes. I expect MEM to defeat the Blazers with some ease tonight because they are really a bad matchup for POR while their spot is better as well! Pick: 3 units (Single Dime Play) on 556 Memphis Grizzlies (-3) @ -110 / 1.91 on Betonline

NBA Free Premium Play 03/05: Memphis Grizzlies @ Brooklyn Nets

Memphis  at Brooklyn

NBA - 707 Memphis Grizzlies @ 708 Brooklyn Nets ***FREE Premium Play*** BKN was able to defeat the Bulls in the last game mostly via creating TO’s... note that their FG% was about the same as CHI and obviously, CHI completely outrebounded them by having 57% reb/rate%! BKN took advantage of CHI’s awful physical spot while the Bulls really couldn’t explore the matchup between Boozer vs. P. Pierce. With Pierce being the “PF” of this Nets starting lineup, it will be fun to watch him trying to guard Zach Randolph…good luck with that! MEM is one of the best teams in the league right now…Conley is coming from b2b solid performances - looking 100% healthy to me! The huge edge that MEM will have on the glass & down low (they scored 62 points in the paint against WAS in the last game) will be too much IMO for this Nets team and therefore, I’m taking MEM in here as my Single Dime Play. Pick: 3 units (Single Dime Play) on 707 Memphis Grizzlies (-2) @ -110 / 1.91 on Bookmaker

NBA Free Premium Play 02/18: New York Knicks @ Memphis Grizzlies

New York  at Memphis

NBA - 509 New York Knicks @ 510 Memphis Grizzlies ***FREE Premium Play*** I expect the Knicks to be extremely competitive tonight... note that they are not better than the Grizzlies, but they match up well vs. MEM and especially, I think that MEM’s won’t be sharp in this spot. Marc Gasol is not 100% healthy… you just need to watch some MEM’s games as of late to watch him being slow @ everything. Yes, his presence down low is still a major factor but against a jump shooting team like NYK is, I don’t expect him to offer much value to his team. Mike Conley returns to action after some time being injured…it’s the second time that Conley has been injured this season and in the first one, Conley struggled a bit in the first games after being healthy, so I expect him to be “rusty” tonight. Now that Tyson Chandler has been decent on the defensive end, I expect him to protect the rim vs. MEM frontcourt. The X factor of this contest is related w/ MEM defense vs. NYK offense… MEM defense has been struggling on the perimeter as they are predicated to “protect the basket” and so, NYK’s outside shooting can cause some serious problems to MEM’s defense and this contest will be a close one. Pick: 3 units (Single Dime Play) on 509 New York Knicks (+5.5) @ -110 / 1.91 on Bookmaker

NBA Free Premium Play 02/09: Memphis Grizzlies @ Cleveland Cavaliers

Memphis  at Cleveland

NBA - 807 Memphis Grizzlies @ 808 Cleveland Cavaliers Play #4 I expect CLE to be super competitive today by taking advantage of the potential letdown spot from the Grizzlies after MEM’s physical game @ATL last night. Despite having a solid frontline unit, MEM’s Head Coach played ZBO & Gasol 38 & 39 minutes respectively…not a good sign for today’s game. CLE is struggling lately but they are coming from a morale-boost win @WAS in the last game. What really makes me playing CLE today is their positional edge @PG position. MEM is one of the worst defensive teams in the league defending P&R ball handler plays (ranked #24) and to make things even worse, Mike Conley is injured and so, N. Calathes is playing some big minutes right now. This is good news for CLE’s guards especially Irving & Waiters that will have a good spot to perform well offensively vs. slow footed MEM defense. My fair line for this contest is MEM-1 and so, I think that we have some value w/ CLE in this particular spot and that’s why I’m taking them as my Single Dime Play. Pick: 3 units (Single Dime Play) on 808 Cleveland Cavaliers (+3.5) @ -110 / 1.91 on Betonline

NBA Free Premium Play 02/08: Memphis Grizzlies @ Atlanta Hawks

Memphis  at Atlanta

NBA - 503 Memphis Grizzlies @ 504 Atlanta Hawks ***FREE Premium Play*** MEM defense was just torched by the Mavericks excellent spread offense in the last game by allowing 110 points. DAL was able to explore MEM poor P&R defense to have 8-19 FG P&R Ball handler plays & 7-8 FG P&R Roll Man. Well, the Hawks don’t have Dirk Nowitzki on their roster, but they have somehow a similar spread offense w/ a terrific ball movement that will cause some problems @ MEM’s weak side defense. Just look for ATL’s last game @NO… 29 of their FGM were assisted for a phenomenal 76% assist/rate! I expect Teague to use his speed advantage over N. Calathes while P. Millsap is a tough matchup for Z. Randolph due to his mid range shooting ability (like D. Nowitzki). However, I also expect MEM to have a good edge on the offense end vs. ATL. ATL don’t have depth on the frontcourt and they are really undersized and prone to be outrebounded and “outmuscled” down low. That’s what I expect for tonight w/ MEM “bigs” to score w/ some ease near the basket. Basically, ATL w/ their superior ball movement will be able to create good looks from the outside while MEM will have the edge on the inside, the correlation between these two edges makes the Over a solid play in my opinion. Pick: 3 units (Single Dime Play) on 503/504 Over 189.5 @ -110 / 1.91 on Betonline

NBA Free Premium Play 01/14:

Oklahoma City  at Memphis

NBA - 505 Oklahoma City Thunder @ 506 Memphis Grizzlies Play #3 ***DOUBLE DIME PLAY*** MEM is really playing well in the last games and I’ve been riding and cashing w/ them for several times. C. Lee and J. Johnson have been nice pickups for them because both players not only can defend but they have some ability to shoot from long range – something that Tony Allen and Prince are lacking severely. Just look for MEM’s A/TO ratio in the last 10 games: 2.07 A/TO! They are averaging 25.2 assists per game in L5 games vs. 21.3 in the first 31 games of the season. Mike Conley struggled a bit after returning from an injury but right now, he has been ONE OF THE BEST PLAYERS in the league: consecutive 30+ point outings against San Antonio and Phoenix, 13 assists against Atlanta, 13-13 from the foul line in the past two games, 3+ steals in three of the past five games, 3 three pointers in each of the four games prior to the Atlanta game, 51.2% from the field over his past five games. Also, MEM’s defense has been improved dramatically. They are now defending better 3pts% w/ 34.0% 3pts% L10 games or 33.3% L5 games. Last game against the good perimeter offense of the Hawks, MEM held them to just 9-27 3pts w/ Kyle Korver just 1-2 3pts! Finally, they are simply destroying their opponents on the boards w/ 55.7% rebounding/rate in the L10 games. Right now, it’s not easy for any team in the league to win @MEM! On the other, OKC is having natural problems on the offensive end without Westbrook ESPECIALLY in the half court. They had some good offensive games like vs. MIN & vs. BOS but those games were fast paced affairs, something that obviously won’t happen tonight against MEM. In the halfcourt, OKC is having tremendous problems to generate good outside looks – just 51-162 3pts in L7 games! We can expect the same game plan from MEM as they had in the playoffs vs. OKC by putting a lot of pressure on Durant. Note that Durant is banged up for tonight w/ a bad wrist. I understand that OKC has some revenge in their mind against MEM, but tonight is not the right time for their “revenge”, and therefore, I’m taking the Grizzlies tonight as my Double Dime Play! Pick: 4 units (Double Dime Play) on 506 Memphis Grizzlies (+1.5) @ -110 / 1.91 on Bookmaker

NBA Free Premium Play 01/14:

Oklahoma City  at Memphis

NBA - 505 Oklahoma City Thunder @ 506 Memphis Grizzlies Play #3 ***DOUBLE DIME PLAY*** MEM is really playing well in the last games and I’ve been riding and cashing w/ them for several times. C. Lee and J. Johnson have been nice pickups for them because both players not only can defend but they have some ability to shoot from long range – something that Tony Allen and Prince are lacking severely. Just look for MEM’s A/TO ratio in the last 10 games: 2.07 A/TO! They are averaging 25.2 assists per game in L5 games vs. 21.3 in the first 31 games of the season. Mike Conley struggled a bit after returning from an injury but right now, he has been ONE OF THE BEST PLAYERS in the league: consecutive 30+ point outings against San Antonio and Phoenix, 13 assists against Atlanta, 13-13 from the foul line in the past two games, 3+ steals in three of the past five games, 3 three pointers in each of the four games prior to the Atlanta game, 51.2% from the field over his past five games. Also, MEM’s defense has been improved dramatically. They are now defending better 3pts% w/ 34.0% 3pts% L10 games or 33.3% L5 games. Last game against the good perimeter offense of the Hawks, MEM held them to just 9-27 3pts w/ Kyle Korver just 1-2 3pts! Finally, they are simply destroying their opponents on the boards w/ 55.7% rebounding/rate in the L10 games. Right now, it’s not easy for any team in the league to win @MEM! On the other, OKC is having natural problems on the offensive end without Westbrook ESPECIALLY in the half court. They had some good offensive games like vs. MIN & vs. BOS but those games were fast paced affairs, something that obviously won’t happen tonight against MEM. In the halfcourt, OKC is having tremendous problems to generate good outside looks – just 51-162 3pts in L7 games! We can expect the same game plan from MEM as they had in the playoffs vs. OKC by putting a lot of pressure on Durant. Note that Durant is banged up for tonight w/ a bad wrist. I understand that OKC has some revenge in their mind against MEM, but tonight is not the right time for their “revenge”, and therefore, I’m taking the Grizzlies tonight as my Double Dime Play! Pick: 4 units (Double Dime Play) on 506 Memphis Grizzlies (+1.5) @ -110 / 1.91 on Bookmaker

NBA Free Premium Play 01/14:

Oklahoma City  at Memphis

NBA - 505 Oklahoma City Thunder @ 506 Memphis Grizzlies Play #3 ***DOUBLE DIME PLAY*** MEM is really playing well in the last games and I’ve been riding and cashing w/ them for several times. C. Lee and J. Johnson have been nice pickups for them because both players not only can defend but they have some ability to shoot from long range – something that Tony Allen and Prince are lacking severely. Just look for MEM’s A/TO ratio in the last 10 games: 2.07 A/TO! They are averaging 25.2 assists per game in L5 games vs. 21.3 in the first 31 games of the season. Mike Conley struggled a bit after returning from an injury but right now, he has been ONE OF THE BEST PLAYERS in the league: consecutive 30+ point outings against San Antonio and Phoenix, 13 assists against Atlanta, 13-13 from the foul line in the past two games, 3+ steals in three of the past five games, 3 three pointers in each of the four games prior to the Atlanta game, 51.2% from the field over his past five games. Also, MEM’s defense has been improved dramatically. They are now defending better 3pts% w/ 34.0% 3pts% L10 games or 33.3% L5 games. Last game against the good perimeter offense of the Hawks, MEM held them to just 9-27 3pts w/ Kyle Korver just 1-2 3pts! Finally, they are simply destroying their opponents on the boards w/ 55.7% rebounding/rate in the L10 games. Right now, it’s not easy for any team in the league to win @MEM! On the other, OKC is having natural problems on the offensive end without Westbrook ESPECIALLY in the half court. They had some good offensive games like vs. MIN & vs. BOS but those games were fast paced affairs, something that obviously won’t happen tonight against MEM. In the halfcourt, OKC is having tremendous problems to generate good outside looks – just 51-162 3pts in L7 games! We can expect the same game plan from MEM as they had in the playoffs vs. OKC by putting a lot of pressure on Durant. Note that Durant is banged up for tonight w/ a bad wrist. I understand that OKC has some revenge in their mind against MEM, but tonight is not the right time for their “revenge”, and therefore, I’m taking the Grizzlies tonight as my Double Dime Play! Pick: 4 units (Double Dime Play) on 506 Memphis Grizzlies (+1.5) @ -110 / 1.91 on Bookmaker

NBA Free Premium Play 01/14:

Oklahoma City  at Memphis

NBA - 505 Oklahoma City Thunder @ 506 Memphis Grizzlies Play #3 ***DOUBLE DIME PLAY*** MEM is really playing well in the last games and I’ve been riding and cashing w/ them for several times. C. Lee and J. Johnson have been nice pickups for them because both players not only can defend but they have some ability to shoot from long range – something that Tony Allen and Prince are lacking severely. Just look for MEM’s A/TO ratio in the last 10 games: 2.07 A/TO! They are averaging 25.2 assists per game in L5 games vs. 21.3 in the first 31 games of the season. Mike Conley struggled a bit after returning from an injury but right now, he has been ONE OF THE BEST PLAYERS in the league: consecutive 30+ point outings against San Antonio and Phoenix, 13 assists against Atlanta, 13-13 from the foul line in the past two games, 3+ steals in three of the past five games, 3 three pointers in each of the four games prior to the Atlanta game, 51.2% from the field over his past five games. Also, MEM’s defense has been improved dramatically. They are now defending better 3pts% w/ 34.0% 3pts% L10 games or 33.3% L5 games. Last game against the good perimeter offense of the Hawks, MEM held them to just 9-27 3pts w/ Kyle Korver just 1-2 3pts! Finally, they are simply destroying their opponents on the boards w/ 55.7% rebounding/rate in the L10 games. Right now, it’s not easy for any team in the league to win @MEM! On the other, OKC is having natural problems on the offensive end without Westbrook ESPECIALLY in the half court. They had some good offensive games like vs. MIN & vs. BOS but those games were fast paced affairs, something that obviously won’t happen tonight against MEM. In the halfcourt, OKC is having tremendous problems to generate good outside looks – just 51-162 3pts in L7 games! We can expect the same game plan from MEM as they had in the playoffs vs. OKC by putting a lot of pressure on Durant. Note that Durant is banged up for tonight w/ a bad wrist. I understand that OKC has some revenge in their mind against MEM, but tonight is not the right time for their “revenge”, and therefore, I’m taking the Grizzlies tonight as my Double Dime Play! Pick: 4 units (Double Dime Play) on 506 Memphis Grizzlies (+1.5) @ -110 / 1.91 on Bookmaker

NBA Free Premium Play 01/14:

Oklahoma City  at Memphis

NBA - 505 Oklahoma City Thunder @ 506 Memphis Grizzlies Play #3 ***DOUBLE DIME PLAY*** MEM is really playing well in the last games and I’ve been riding and cashing w/ them for several times. C. Lee and J. Johnson have been nice pickups for them because both players not only can defend but they have some ability to shoot from long range – something that Tony Allen and Prince are lacking severely. Just look for MEM’s A/TO ratio in the last 10 games: 2.07 A/TO! They are averaging 25.2 assists per game in L5 games vs. 21.3 in the first 31 games of the season. Mike Conley struggled a bit after returning from an injury but right now, he has been ONE OF THE BEST PLAYERS in the league: consecutive 30+ point outings against San Antonio and Phoenix, 13 assists against Atlanta, 13-13 from the foul line in the past two games, 3+ steals in three of the past five games, 3 three pointers in each of the four games prior to the Atlanta game, 51.2% from the field over his past five games. Also, MEM’s defense has been improved dramatically. They are now defending better 3pts% w/ 34.0% 3pts% L10 games or 33.3% L5 games. Last game against the good perimeter offense of the Hawks, MEM held them to just 9-27 3pts w/ Kyle Korver just 1-2 3pts! Finally, they are simply destroying their opponents on the boards w/ 55.7% rebounding/rate in the L10 games. Right now, it’s not easy for any team in the league to win @MEM! On the other, OKC is having natural problems on the offensive end without Westbrook ESPECIALLY in the half court. They had some good offensive games like vs. MIN & vs. BOS but those games were fast paced affairs, something that obviously won’t happen tonight against MEM. In the halfcourt, OKC is having tremendous problems to generate good outside looks – just 51-162 3pts in L7 games! We can expect the same game plan from MEM as they had in the playoffs vs. OKC by putting a lot of pressure on Durant. Note that Durant is banged up for tonight w/ a bad wrist. I understand that OKC has some revenge in their mind against MEM, but tonight is not the right time for their “revenge”, and therefore, I’m taking the Grizzlies tonight as my Double Dime Play! Pick: 4 units (Double Dime Play) on 506 Memphis Grizzlies (+1.5) @ -110 / 1.91 on Bookmaker

NBA Free Premium Play 01/14:

Oklahoma City  at Memphis

NBA - 505 Oklahoma City Thunder @ 506 Memphis Grizzlies Play #3 ***DOUBLE DIME PLAY*** MEM is really playing well in the last games and I’ve been riding and cashing w/ them for several times. C. Lee and J. Johnson have been nice pickups for them because both players not only can defend but they have some ability to shoot from long range – something that Tony Allen and Prince are lacking severely. Just look for MEM’s A/TO ratio in the last 10 games: 2.07 A/TO! They are averaging 25.2 assists per game in L5 games vs. 21.3 in the first 31 games of the season. Mike Conley struggled a bit after returning from an injury but right now, he has been ONE OF THE BEST PLAYERS in the league: consecutive 30+ point outings against San Antonio and Phoenix, 13 assists against Atlanta, 13-13 from the foul line in the past two games, 3+ steals in three of the past five games, 3 three pointers in each of the four games prior to the Atlanta game, 51.2% from the field over his past five games. Also, MEM’s defense has been improved dramatically. They are now defending better 3pts% w/ 34.0% 3pts% L10 games or 33.3% L5 games. Last game against the good perimeter offense of the Hawks, MEM held them to just 9-27 3pts w/ Kyle Korver just 1-2 3pts! Finally, they are simply destroying their opponents on the boards w/ 55.7% rebounding/rate in the L10 games. Right now, it’s not easy for any team in the league to win @MEM! On the other, OKC is having natural problems on the offensive end without Westbrook ESPECIALLY in the half court. They had some good offensive games like vs. MIN & vs. BOS but those games were fast paced affairs, something that obviously won’t happen tonight against MEM. In the halfcourt, OKC is having tremendous problems to generate good outside looks – just 51-162 3pts in L7 games! We can expect the same game plan from MEM as they had in the playoffs vs. OKC by putting a lot of pressure on Durant. Note that Durant is banged up for tonight w/ a bad wrist. I understand that OKC has some revenge in their mind against MEM, but tonight is not the right time for their “revenge”, and therefore, I’m taking the Grizzlies tonight as my Double Dime Play! Pick: 4 units (Double Dime Play) on 506 Memphis Grizzlies (+1.5) @ -110 / 1.91 on Bookmaker

NBA Free Premium Play 01/14:

Oklahoma City  at Memphis

NBA - 505 Oklahoma City Thunder @ 506 Memphis Grizzlies Play #3 ***DOUBLE DIME PLAY*** MEM is really playing well in the last games and I’ve been riding and cashing w/ them for several times. C. Lee and J. Johnson have been nice pickups for them because both players not only can defend but they have some ability to shoot from long range – something that Tony Allen and Prince are lacking severely. Just look for MEM’s A/TO ratio in the last 10 games: 2.07 A/TO! They are averaging 25.2 assists per game in L5 games vs. 21.3 in the first 31 games of the season. Mike Conley struggled a bit after returning from an injury but right now, he has been ONE OF THE BEST PLAYERS in the league: consecutive 30+ point outings against San Antonio and Phoenix, 13 assists against Atlanta, 13-13 from the foul line in the past two games, 3+ steals in three of the past five games, 3 three pointers in each of the four games prior to the Atlanta game, 51.2% from the field over his past five games. Also, MEM’s defense has been improved dramatically. They are now defending better 3pts% w/ 34.0% 3pts% L10 games or 33.3% L5 games. Last game against the good perimeter offense of the Hawks, MEM held them to just 9-27 3pts w/ Kyle Korver just 1-2 3pts! Finally, they are simply destroying their opponents on the boards w/ 55.7% rebounding/rate in the L10 games. Right now, it’s not easy for any team in the league to win @MEM! On the other, OKC is having natural problems on the offensive end without Westbrook ESPECIALLY in the half court. They had some good offensive games like vs. MIN & vs. BOS but those games were fast paced affairs, something that obviously won’t happen tonight against MEM. In the halfcourt, OKC is having tremendous problems to generate good outside looks – just 51-162 3pts in L7 games! We can expect the same game plan from MEM as they had in the playoffs vs. OKC by putting a lot of pressure on Durant. Note that Durant is banged up for tonight w/ a bad wrist. I understand that OKC has some revenge in their mind against MEM, but tonight is not the right time for their “revenge”, and therefore, I’m taking the Grizzlies tonight as my Double Dime Play! Pick: 4 units (Double Dime Play) on 506 Memphis Grizzlies (+1.5) @ -110 / 1.91 on Bookmaker

NBA Free Premium Play 12/17: Los Angeles Lakers @ Memphis Grizzlies

LA Lakers  at Memphis

NBA - 505 Los Angeles Lakers @ 506 Memphis Grizzlies Play #4 I really didn’t think the Lakers would have been competitive last night against the Hawks and that’s why I took ATL-6 in the game. ATL spread offense w/ good shooters and their skilled big men were too much for a shorthanded Lakers team on the backcourt. The good news for today is that they will face a Grizzlies team that are far from being a good shooting team and will play without their best backcourt player Mike Conley. The Lakers interior defense isn’t anything special but tonight’s game plan will be an easy one: pack the paint! The Grizzlies have been struggling offensively and without both Gasol & Conley, their floor spacing will be ugly to watch. On the other side, the Lakers offense is now struggling to hit their outside shots. Since Kobe returned = 33-113 3pts%, just 29%! They are playing with Bryan @ Point Guard and obviously he struggling badly to play at this position. MEM perimeter defense has been terrible as of late but w/ the Lakers struggling they will have a good spot for tonight and I expect this contest to be a ugly game to watch w/ low scoring outcome. Pick: 3 units (Single Dime Play) on 505/506 Under 193.5 @ -110 / 1.91 on Bookmaker

NBA Free Premium Play 11/30: Brooklyn Nets @ Memphis Grizzlies

Brooklyn  at Memphis

NBA - 705 Brooklyn Nets @ 706 Memphis Grizzlies Free Premium Play Brooklyn had absolutely no chance last night at Houston. First of all, Brooklyn has been struggling on pick and roll ball handling defense where they are dead last in the league, while their transition defense is also poor due to their lack of foot speed that also causes them problems on closing out the shooters. Therefore, Houston took advantage of that to torch them apart with 5-6 FG (3-4 3pts) on pick and roll ball handler plays, 14 fast break points with 4-7 FG on transition and 19-32 3pts with a great 15-28 FG on spot up plays! Kevin Garnett didn't play yesterday, but he should play tonight, while Brook Lopez returned yesterday but played only 21 minutes, so he should be fine for tonight as well. The Nets will now play at Memphis and I expect them to have some rest on defense tonight, as Memphis's offense lacks the characteristics to crush Brooklyn like Houston did last night. Memphis's outside shooting is poor and very inconsistent. This is why they are just #29 on spot ups. The Grizzlies have been adopting a grind out style lately and so, their transition game is also gone, even though they actually scored 18 fast break points on their last game. The Grizzlies' offense without Marc Gasol needs some time to adjust. They managed a nice performance at Boston due to a great 25-31 FT and some dominance down low against Boston's poor interior defense. This won't happen tonight against Brooklyn with Brook Lopez and Kevin Garnett back in the lineup together for the first time in a while. Therefore, I believe the Nets will be competitive tonight and so, I'll be taking them in here. Pick: 3 units (Single Dime Play) on 705 Brooklyn Nets (+9) @ -110 / 1.91 on Bookmaker

Memphis Grizzlies NBA Team Season Preview 2013-14

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

Season Review 2012/13:

Advanced Stats
	Numbers	Rank
Pace	88.4	30
Offense	104.9	17
Defense	100.3	2
Rebound	52.8	1

4 Factors
Offense	Numbers	Rank	Defense	Numbers	Rank
eFG%	48.9	17	eFG%	52.0	28
TO%	14.0	19	TO%	13.1	25
Reb%	29.2	6	Reb%	25.6	8
FT%	19.3	23	FT%	20.8	19

Monthly Performance
	Record	OffRtg	DefRtg
November	12-2	108.8	100.8
December	7-7	100.4	100.6
January	10-7	104.0	103.2
February	9-2	106.3	99.3
March	11-6	110.3	106.3
April	7-2	105.7	95.5

Memphis is coming from the best season of their franchise and if it wasn’t for a sweep that they suffered at the hands of San Antonio in the Western Conference and the season would have been “perfect” for the organization.

With the same structure from a few years ago and with the same coach, the Grizzlies were obvious contenders to reach the playoffs and a team that nobody wanted to face in the postseason due to their impressive physical play.

They started the season in super strong fashion with 14 wins on their first 17 games mostly due to an advanced team chemistry, in comparison to the rest of the league. However, after that hot start, the Grizzlies struggled by going 16-15 on the following 31 games.

The team gained a new owner and even ESPN stats guy John Hollinger was hired as the VP of Basketball Operations. One of the first options of the new staff was to trade Rudy Gay, who was seen as an inefficient offensive player, being replaced by Tayshaun Prince. The results of that trade were extremely positive:

Rudy Gay vs. Tayshaun Prince
Players	Record	OffRtg	DefRtg	Pace
w/ Gay	29-16	104.4	101.6	88.2
w/ Prince	27-10	108.0	101.6	86.7

Memphis ended the regular season in great fashion by going 27-10 from February 1 to the end of the regular season. This wasn’t surprising as the Grizzlies’ offense improved and that turned them into a much more competitive team. Prince shot just 43% FG on these 37 games in Memphis, but it was the improved offensive flow with a better shot selection from their key players that made the team improve so much.

Defensively, Memphis continued being the Western Conference’s best defensive league. That helped them to end the regular season with a franchise best of 56-26! Even though they won 56 games that wasn’t enough for them to get home court advantage in the first round of the postseason. In that series, they faced the Clippers just like in the previous season.

Memphis lost the first two games of the series at LA in an unusual way for them, as they were completely outmuscled by the Clippers in both games, while being outrebounded by a combined of 61-87! But once the series went to Memphis for Game 3, the Grizzlies pounded the Clippers down low with Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol and this formula was repeated in the following four games of the series. Randolph was the team’s barometer as in Memphis’s four wins in that series he shot 39-68 FG, for an impressive 57% FG!

The Grizzlies had then a series against Oklahoma City that became much easier for them due to Russell Westbrook’s season-ending injury. However, this wasn’t still an easy series for Memphis, as all their wins were by six points or less. On this series, it was clear why the Grizzlies were the best defensive team in the conference.

On the Conference Final against San Antonio, Memphis’s offensive struggles were well explored by San Antonio, as the Grizzlies scored 83, 85, 86 and 86 points in regulation time in those games. Memphis averaged 34.3 FT/game against the Clippers and 28.4 FT/game against Oklahoma City, but they averaged just 22 FT/game against the Spurs, with both Randolph and Gasol being well defended by San Antonio. On the other side, the Grizzlies’ backcourt just couldn’t handle Tony Parker. 

Offseason Report:

The biggest news of the offseason was Lionel Hollins leaving the team, even though he guided the Grizzlies to the best season of the franchise. Hollins’s old school style was contrasting with the new statistic approach of the organization and ultimately Hollins left the team.

David Joerger was then promoted into the team’s Head Coach. He was completing his sixth season as an assistant for the team and his second season as lead assistant. He is an excellent teacher of the game and his stay at the D-League was excellent. In fact, Joerger had 18 of his players called up to the NBA from 2003-07!

With a well consolidated main core of players, the organization didn’t change a lot its roster on the offseason. They grabbed a much needed perimeter shooter in Mike Miller and they traded for Kosta Koufos, in order to have a solid backup at Center position.