The Bum's NBA Championship Best Bets !

[StarDust Bum]

Monday, May 7

Game Score Status Pick Amount

San Antonio - 8:05 PM ET San Antonio -8 500
Utah - Over 198.5 500

Memphis - 10:30 PM ET L.A. Clippers -1.5 500
L.A. Clippers - Under 182.5 500

[StarDust Bum]

Memphis Grizzlies Look To Hold Off LA Clippers

The Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers are the marquee matchup on Wednesday with the Grizz trying to stay alive at home.

These teams met Monday and continued to put on a show with close endings. The Clips won in overtime, 101-97 as two-point home favorites, now leading the series 3-1. Blake Griffin was +18 in plus/minus and is outplaying his counterpart Zach Randolph.

Tuesday has four series that could all end tonight. Orlando (+10½) is at Indiana with a total of 179½. The Pacers have won the last three (2-1 ATS) after surprisingly dropping the opener.

Boston (+1½) is back in Atlanta with a total of 173. There has been betting movement towards the Celtics and Don Best NBA analyst Monte Scates like them in the closeout situation despite Al Horford (pectoral) starting after coming off the bench last game.

Philadelphia (+5) is at Chicago with a total of 171½. Both Scates and Don Best Sports analyst Pat Williams like the underdog 76ers to win this game outright, especially with Bulls forward Joakim Noah (ankle) listed as doubtful. That would mean a series win for Philly, who has benefited from the previous injury to Derrick Rose.

The final Tuesday game is Denver (+ ½) at the Lakers with a total of 198½. The tempo has gone in the Lakers’ favor in the three games they’ve won. They’ll try to slow it down again and Scates like them to win and cover.

Wednesday has Miami (-11) looking to knock out the Knicks. The total is 183 in South Beach. The Knicks were able to avoid a sweep last game and win their first playoff contest in 11 years. Carmelo Anthony had 41 points and Amare Stoudemire had 20 points and 10 boards in returning from his hand injury after hitting a fire extinguisher case.

Scates likes Miami to win and cover in front of the home fans, getting ready for the next round (most likely Indiana).

Going back to the Clippers and Grizzlies, Memphis is a 6-point home favorite with a total of 183½. The ‘over’ is 3-1 this series despite Memphis being held under 100 points three times. The ‘over’ is also 6-2 in Memphis’ last eight at home and 6-1 in Los Angeles’ last seven overall.

The point guard battle of Chris Paul (23.5 PPG. 8.8 APG this series) and Mike Conley has been one to watch. Paul is obviously the better player, but Conley (17.5 PPG, 7.5 APG) hasn’t embarrassed himself.

As mentioned above, the Randolph versus Griffin matchup has to become more even for the Grizzlies to extend this series and Scates believes they will live to fight another day.

[StarDust Bum]

Memphis tries to stay alive in series Wednesday

NBA PLAYOFF GAME PREVIEW

No. 5 LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

at No. 4 MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES


Western Conference – First Round, Best-of-7 series
Game 5 – Los Angeles leads series 3-1
Tip-off: Wednesday, 9:35 p.m. ET
Line: Memphis -6, Total: 182

The Clippers needed overtime to outlast the Grizzlies on Monday night, and now look to close out Memphis on its home floor in Wednesday’s Game 5.

The Los Angeles superstar duo of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin combined for 57 points in Game 4, as the Clips nearly saw their double-digit lead late in the fourth quarter disappear. L.A. is 7-2 SU in its past nine meetings with Grizzlies and leads this series 3-1. However, Memphis has more points in this series with a 7-point win and losses by 1, 1 and 4 points. Can Memphis avoid being eliminated on its home floor? For the answer, connect to NBA Playoffs Best Bets for all the Expert picks for every playoff game during the 2012 postseason.

For the series, L.A. has outshot Memphis 50% FG to 44% FG, but has made just 64% of its free throws. Paul has been magnificent in this series with team highs in points (23.5 PPG), assists (8.8 APG) and steals (2.5 SPG). He’s made 47% from the floor, 43% from three-point range and 92% from the foul line. PF Blake Griffin is scoring 21.5 PPG on 57% FG, but has just 6.3 RPG, well below his 10.9 RPG during the regular season. PF Reggie Evans has picked up the rebounding slack with 8.3 RPG in just 21.3 MPG in the series. SG Nick Young has stepped up too, with 10.5 PPG on 56% FG in the series, including 15.0 PPG on 10-of-16 FG (6-of-7 threes) in the first two games in Memphis. Starting SF Caron Butler has 10.0 PPG, but is making just 41% FG, and SG Randy Foye has had a lackluster series as well, with 7.0 PPG on 42% FG.

Memphis is just 3-10 ATS in its past 13 games this season and 16-18-1 ATS at FedEx Forum. PG Mike Conley had a huge effort in Game 4 with 25 points (10-of-15 FG), seven rebounds and eight assists. In his two home games in the series, Conley had 18.0 PPG, 7.0 APG and just 2.0 TOPG. SF Rudy Gay leads Memphis with 21.8 PPG in the series, scoring at least 19 points in each game. He’s excited to return home, having shot much better in Memphis (52% FG) than he did in the past two games in Los Angeles (34%). The rest of the Grizzlies have not had huge series. PF Zach Randolph has just 12.5 PPG on 42% FG, SG O.J. Mayo has 12.0 PPG on a woeful 31% FG and C Marc Gasol has posted a lackluster 10.3 PPG and 6.5 RPG in the series, a far cry from his 14.6 PPG and 8.9 RPG during the regular season.

[StarDust Bum]

Heat try to finish off Knicks on Wednesday

NBA PLAYOFF GAME PREVIEW

No. 7 NEW YORK KNICKS

at No. 2 MIAMI HEAT


Eastern Conference – First Round, Best-of-7 series
Game 5 - Miami leads series 3-1
Tip-off: Wednesday, 7:05 p.m. ET
Line: Miami -11, Total: 183

With their 11-year NBA playoff game win drought finally over, the Knicks try to send their first-round series back home with a win on Wednesday night in Miami.

Carmelo Anthony led his team back from a pair of double-digit deficits in Game 4, scoring 41 points. But the injury bug bit the Knicks again with PG Baron Davis suffering a horrific knee injury that will keep him out at least 12 months. New York also will not have starting PG Jeremy Lin, who had been a possibility to return from his knee injury, which leaves floor-general duties to Mike Bibby, who hit a huge three-pointer to break a tie with 1:23 remaining on Monday. But now the series shifts to Miami, where the Heat are 22-3 in their past 25 games, and have beaten the Knicks in eight of the past nine home meetings. Can Miami finish off New York with a blowout victory? For the answer, connect to NBA Playoffs Best Bets for all the Expert picks for every playoff game during the 2012 postseason.

SF Carmelo Anthony is putting up big numbers with 26.0 PPG and 8.3 RPG in the series, coming off his best game by far on Sunday: 41 points (15-of-29 FG), six rebounds, four assists and one turnover. But he’s still shooting just 39.8% FG on 2-of-13 threes for the series. PF Amar’e Stoudemire has been the butt of many jokes after his glass-punching injury cost him Game 3, but he’s had two straight strong performances with 19.0 PPG and 8.5 RPG since a meager nine points and five rebounds in Game 1. SG J.R. Smith shot much better in Miami (15.0 PPG, 46% FG, 4-of-11 threes) than he did at home (9.5 PPG, 24% FG, 1-of-13 threes) this series, so he might not mind the shift in venues. Bibby is scoring just 4.3 PPG with 1.8 APG in his 20.5 MPG in the playoffs, but has made 5-of-10 threes over the past three games. C Tyson Chandler continues to underwhelm on the offensive end with just 6.0 PPG in the series, but he has pulled down 10.3 RPG in the past three contests.

SF LeBron James is having a huge series with 27.5 PPG (49% FG), 5.8 RPG and 5.3 APG. But after committing just four turnovers in two home games, he has made 13 miscues in the past two contests. SG Dwyane Wade has 21.5 PPG on 55% FG for the series, but he made just 4-of-11 free throws in Sunday’s loss. His defense was sparkling though, with four steals and three blocks. PF Chris Bosh has seen his points fluctuate from 9 to 21 to 9 to 17, but he’s made a better effort on the glass with 9.5 RPG over the past two contests. PG Mario Chalmers shot a dreadful 2-for-10 FG on Sunday, but has still played well in this series with 12.3 PPG (40% threes) and 4.8 APG in his 36.0 MPG. He posted 15 assists and just four turnovers in the two home games this series.

[StarDust Bum]

Wednesday, May 9

Game Score Status Pick Amount

New York - 7:00 PM ET New York +11 500
Miami - Under 183 500

L.A. Clippers - 9:00 PM ET Memphis -6.5 500
Memphis - Over 182.5 500

[Kaptain]

L.A. Clippers - 9:00 PM ET Memphis -6.5 500
Memphis - Over 182.5 500


love these 2....get em BUM

[StarDust Bum]

Take Two For Sixers, Celtics And Lakers In Closeout Games

Thursday NBA playoff action features three potential series-ending matchups. The three are 'leftovers' from Tuesday when the Indiana Pacers were the only squad to finish off a first-round series by taking out the Orlando Magic, easily covering the 10-point spread with a 105-87 victory.

The action gets underway Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, with television coverage provided by NBA-TV. The final two games on Thursday's slate will air on TNT from Boston and Denver.

Chicago Bulls at Philadelphia 76ers (-3, 169)
NBA-TV – 7:00 p.m. (ET)
The young Sixers learned the hard way just how difficult it is to close out an NBA playoff series. Chicago, minus Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, showcased its league-leading defense while holding Philly to 69 points on 32 percent shooting from the field in a 77-69 win Tuesday.

Philadelphia, now leading 3-2 in the series, must take care of the Bulls on its home court where the 76ers are a perfect 2-0 straight up and against the spread vs. Chicago in both meetings. The 'under' cashed in both games played in Philadelphia.

Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng finally got it going offensively in Game 5, scoring a combined 43 points while collecting 21 rebounds. Not stepping up for the Sixers is Elton Brand. After scoring 19 points in the opener, Brand has meekly responded with just 24 points in Games 2-5 including hanging a zero in Game 3.

Philadelphia must win Game 6; winning a pressure-packed Game 7, in Chicago, might be asking too much from the inexperienced Sixers.

Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics (-6½, 174)
TNT – 8:00 p.m. (ET)
After watching the Celtics embarrass the Hawks in Sunday’s Game 4 played in Boston, it would be safe to assume the Celtics were not that good and the Hawks were really not that bad. In a determined Game 5 effort, Atlanta defended its home court and escaped with a narrow 87-86 victory. Boston did cover the spread (+2) and for the third time in the series, the game fell 'under' the posted total.

While the Hawks have been impressive of late on the road, 6-1 in their last seven, Boston has been up to the task on its home floor cashing 10 of the last 13 as a home favorite.

Mark my word, after his last-second gaffe in Game 5, look for Rajon Rondo to stuff the stat sheet in Boston’s Game 6 closeout victory.

Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets (-1½, 198)
TNT – 10:30 p.m. (ET)
It seems like the formula for the Lakers to close out the Nuggets is pretty apparent to everyone except the Los Angeles coaches and players: slow the pace and take advantage of your huge height and length advantage.

Denver staved off elimination in Game 5 behind huge nights from JaVale McGee (21 pts/14 rebs) and Andre Miller (24 pts/8 assists). Los Angeles' tower combination of Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum were fourth and fifth on the Lakers stat sheet in shot attempts. If Mike Brown can’t figure out a way to get his big guys more shots in Game 6 at Pepsi Center, this series will undoubtedly wind up going the distance.

The 'under' has cashed in 13 of the Lakers' 16 games played in Denver.

[StarDust Bum]

Thursday, May 10

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Chicago - 7:00 PM ET Chicago +3 500
Philadelphia - Over 169.5 500

Atlanta - 8:00 PM ET Boston -6.5 500
Boston - Under 173.5 500

L.A. Lakers - 10:30 PM ET Denver -1.5 500
Denver - Under 197 500

[StarDust Bum]

Bulls aim to even series Thursday in Philadelphia


NBA PLAYOFF GAME PREVIEW

No. 1 CHICAGO BULLS

at No. 8 PHILADELPHIA 76ERS


Eastern Conference – First Round, Best-of-7 series
Game 6 - Philadelphia leads series 3-2
Tip-off: Thursday, 7:05 p.m. ET
Line: Philadelphia -3, Total: 169

The 76ers look to close out the top-seeded Bulls at home when the two teams meet for Thursday’s Game 6.

After struggling for the entire series, SF Luol Deng finally had a breakout performance with 24 points and eight rebounds in Chicago’s 77-69 win in Game 5. PF Carlos Boozer also stepped up with 19 points, 13 rebounds and six assists and helped lead his Bulls team to a 36-22 advantage in points in the paint. This advantage could be even greater if C Joakim Noah (15.0 PPG, 9.3 RPG in series), who has missed the past two games with a sprained ankle, returns to action on Thursday. However, Philadelphia won both home games this series in low-scoring fashion (79-74 and 89-82). Can the Sixers close the deal on Thursday? For the answer, connect to NBA Playoffs Best Bets for all the Expert picks for every playoff game during the 2012 postseason. ******* Dave is on a 5-1 ATS run in the past two days, including 3-1 on his Best Bets.

Although Philly is a stingy home team, Chicago allows just 88.3 PPG on 42.2% FG in road games this season, posting a stellar 24-11 SU mark (21-14 ATS) away from home. Deng had averaged just 8.0 PPG in Games 2-4 before scoring 24 points in Game 5, where he made 10-of-19 shots including 4-of-5 threes. Boozer failed to score in double figures in Games 1-2, but has three straight double-doubles, averaging 20.0 PPG and 11.3 RPG in these three contests. PG C.J. Watson continues to have a brutal series trying to replace injured Derrick Rose. Watson’s 2-for-10 night in Game 5 drops his series averages to 7.6 PPG on 25.5% FG (12-for-47 FG). SG Richard Hamilton has also been ice cold in his past three games, making just 10-of-33 shots. After dishing out 16 assists over Games 1-3, he has just one assist in the past two games combined.

For the season, Philly is allowing just 85.3 PPG (41.3% FG) on its home floor, going 21-14 SU (19-16 ATS) at Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers shot a dismal 32.1% FG (2-for-11 threes) on Tuesday as their best player, SF Andre Iguodala, finished 4-of-19 from the floor. That puts him at 30.6% FG (15.0% threes) for the series, a huge dropoff from his 45.4% FG (39.4% threes) during the regular season. C Spencer Hawes has enjoyed his time in the paint since Noah got hurt in Game 3, tallying 18.0 PPG and 10.3 PPG in the past three games. In the first two contests of the series, Hawes logged a total of 33 minutes, scoring just seven points with seven rebounds. Philly’s best player in the series has been PG Jrue Holiday, who’s averaging 19.0 PPG, 5.6 RPG and 4.8 APG. He had his worst shooting night in Game 5 (5-for-17 FG), but still contributed five rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks. PG Lou Williams (12.6 PPG in series) and SG Evan Turner (12.0 PPG in series) have shined at times during the series, but they are a combined 2-for-22 from three-point range, a big reason Philly has made just 21.5% of its threes in this series

[StarDust Bum]

NBA PLAYOFF GAME PREVIEW

No. 3 LOS ANGELES LAKERS

at No. 6 DENVER NUGGETS


Western Conference – First Round, Best-of-7 series
Game 6 – Los Angeles leads series 3-2
Tip-off: Thursday, 10:35 p.m. ET
Line: Denver -1½, Total: 197½

The Nuggets stunned the Lakers in L.A. on Tuesday, and now they’ll try to win again on Thursday night, this time in Denver, to send this series to a seventh game.

Nuggets C JaVale McGee had a huge performance to help lead his team to the 102-99 victory in Game 5, scoring 21 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Despite making only 3-of-19 FG, Denver still outshot Los Angeles 46% FG to 39% FG, making 55% of its two-point tries, while the Lakers made just 39% of their shots from inside the arc. Can the Nuggets extend this series to a seventh game? For the answer, connect to NBA Playoffs Best Bets for all the Expert picks for every playoff game during the 2012 postseason. ******* Dave is on a 5-1 ATS run in the past two days, including 3-1 on his Best Bets.

L.A. has been a poor road team, going 16-19 (12-22-1 ATS), but it did win Game 4 in Denver by a 92-88 score. The Lakers are shooting 43.3% FG for the series, including 28.6% on three-pointers. Although Lakers SG Kobe Bryant scored a game-high 43 points in Game 5, he took 32 shots to get his points. He’s scoring 31.2 PPG with 5.8 RPG and 4.6 APG in the series, but has made just 42.9% FG. C Andrew Bynum has put together a great offensive series with 18.0 PPG (60% FG) and 10.4 RPG, but hasn’t been the defensive force he was in Game 1 when he blocked 10 shots. He has a total of eight blocks in his past four games combined. PF Pau Gasol averaged 17.4 PPG during the regular season, but hasn’t scored more than 16 points in any game this series. But his numbers have been productive across the board in this series with 12.8 PPG (47% FG), 8.8 RPG, 4.6 APG and 2.4 BPG. PG Ramon Sessions made just 3-of-12 shots in Tuesday’s loss, but like Gasol, has also contributed in many facets with 12.8 PPG, 4.6 APG and 4.4 RPG during the series.

The Nuggets haven’t been a great home team this season at 21-14 SU (15-20 ATS), but they score 102.5 PPG (48% FG) at Pepsi Center. SG Arron Afflalo entered Tuesday making just 31% FG in the series, but he busted out for 19 points on 8-of-19 FG. And PG Andre Miller scored 24 points and dished out eight assists in just 28 minutes off the bench on Tuesday. Since going scoreless in Game 2, Miller is averaging 17.3 PPG and 5.7 APG over his past three contests. SF Danilo Gallinari (15.8 PPG in series) and PG Ty Lawson (15.4 PPG in series) have been the highest scorers for Denver, but are shooting just 38.9% FG and 44.4% FG, respectively. The duo has combined to make just 3-of-30 three-pointers. Rookie PF Kenneth Faried has been tough all series with 10.4 PPG (52% FG) and 9.8 RPG.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA PLAYOFF GAME PREVIEW

No. 5 ATLANTA HAWKS

at No. 4 BOSTON CELTICS


Eastern Conference – First Round, Best-of-7 series
Game 6 - Boston leads series 3-2
Tip-off: Thursday, 8:05 p.m. ET
Line: Boston -6½, Total: 174

The Hawks stayed alive in their first-round series with a one-point win at home on Tuesday, but now they’re tasked with winning in Boston on Thursday to force a Game 7.

C Al Horford was the hero of Game 5 with 19 points and 11 rebounds in 31 minutes, well more than he was expected to play in just his second game since missing nearly the entire season with a torn pectoral muscle. Horford and Josh Smith, who had 13 points and 16 rebounds, were the biggest reasons Atlanta won the rebounding battle 41-33. Can the Celtics do a better job on the glass and cover the big number on Thursday? For the answer, connect to NBA Playoffs Best Bets for all the Expert picks for every playoff game during the 2012 postseason. ******* Dave is on a 5-1 ATS run in the past two days, including 3-1 on his Best Bets.

The Hawks are a solid road team (17-18 SU, 19-14-2 ATS), but have yet to reach 90 points this series, averaging a mere 82.6 PPG on 39.9% FG (28.6% threes). Three starters are all shooting below 40% from the field -- SF Marvin Williams (31.3% FG), SG Joe Johnson (36.5% FG) and PF Josh Smith (38.6% FG). Johnson leads the Hawks with 17.2 PPG this series, but has made just 7-of-30 threes (23%). He did have his best game of the series in Boston though, pouring in 29 points with eight rebounds in Game 3. Smith is averaging 16.5 PPG, 14.8 RPG and 5.0 APG in the series, but has not shot above 40% FG in any game, and has 10 turnovers in the past two contests. PG Jeff Teague has been solid this series with 15.8 PPG (40% threes), but has just 3.8 APG in his 38.4 MPG of action. Horford is the only other player scoring more than seven points per game, putting up 15.5 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 1.5 SPG and 1.5 BPG.

Boston is 26-9 SU (19-16 ATS) at TD Garden this season, allowing just 84.2 PPG on 40.3% FG. No Celtics player scored more than 16 points, but the team shot 44.2% from the field and 42.9% from three-point land. Boston won both games this series on its home floor, taking Game 3 by a 90-84 score and winning a laugher in Game 4, 101-79. PG Rajon Rondo dominated both home games, averaging 18.5 PPG, 8.5 RPG and 14.0 APG. His FG shooting has been erratic in each of his four games (56%, 32%, 73%, 35%), but his defense has been strong all series with 16 steals in four games. SF Paul Pierce aggravated his sprained knee injury in the Game 5 loss, but is expected to play on Thursday night. He has 21.8 PPG (42.5% FG) and 6.6 RPG in the series, making 10-of-13 shots in his last home game in Game 4. PF Kevin Garnett is averaging nearly a double-double at 16.8 PPG and 9.8 RPG, but has just 6.0 RPG and zero blocks in his past two games. SG Ray Allen, the league’s best career three-point shooter, has shown no ill effects from the ankle injury that kept him off the court for Games 1-2. In his three contests, he’s scoring 13.3 PPG (52% FG, 36% threes) in just 28.7 MPG. SG Avery Bradley has been limited with a shoulder injury, playing just 37 minutes in the past two games, and scoring a total of eight points on 3-of-9 FG. He averaged 12.0 PPG in 35.0 MPG in Games 1-2.

[Kaptain]

get em today BUM

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Dunkel

Memphis at LA Clippers
The Clippers look to take advantage of a Memphis team that is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 road games. LA is the pick (-1 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Clippers favored by 4. Dunkel Pick: LA Clippers (-1 1/2). Here are all of today's picks

FRIDAY, MAY 11

Game 743-744: Memphis at LA Clippers (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Memphis 120.719; LA Clippers 124.809
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Clippers by 4; 187
Vegas Line & Total: LA Clippers by 1 1/2; No Total
Dunkel Pick: LA Clippers (-1 1/2); N/A




NBA
Long Sheet

Friday, May 11

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MEMPHIS (43 - 28) at LA CLIPPERS (43 - 28) - 5/11/2012, 9:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
MEMPHIS is 8-7 against the spread versus LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
LA CLIPPERS is 9-7 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
10 of 16 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NBA
Short Sheet

Friday, May 11

WC Quarterfinals, Game Six (Los Angeles Leads, 3-2)
Memphis at LA Clippers, 9:05 ET ESPN
Memphis: 10-3 ATS after allowing 85 points or less
LA Clippers: 18-35 ATS vs. Southwest Division opponents




NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Friday, May 11

Grizzlies @ Clippers (3-2)-- Health of Paul/Griffin is key to this game, as Clippers are dead if Paul can't be explosive off the dribble. LA has 3-2 series edge, but its three wins are by combined total of six points, with two 1-point wins and one in OT. Clippers won seven of last ten series games-- home team is 9-2 in last 11 series games, 7-2 this year. Grizzlies had a 24-point lead to 4 in Game 5, reminding us how a blown 27-point lead in Game 1 has swung this series in LA's favor. Question becomes this: Can the Clippers finish it off, or like Chicago, are they too injured?




NBA

Friday, May 11

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What bettors need to know: Friday's NBA playoff action
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Memphis Grizzlies at Los Angeles Clippers (-1.5, N/A)

THE STORY: The stars appeared to be aligned for the Los Angeles Clippers – until a loss at Memphis in Game 5 that left All-Stars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin injured and in need of medical treatment prior to Friday night's Game 6 of the Clippers' first-round series with the Grizzlies. The health of Paul (hip) and Griffin (knee) will be the overriding storyline as Los Angeles looks to wrap up the series and avoid a return trip to Memphis for a potential Game 7. As of Thursday evening, both were listed as game-time decisions.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES: Memphis staved off elimination with another dominant performance for most of three quarters before wilting and seeing a 24-point lead dwindle to six. It was eerily reminiscent of Game 1, when the Grizzlies blew a 27-point lead. Big men Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph were the keys to the fast start, combining for 27 points in the first quarter and 42 overall, but they were invisible for nearly the entire fourth quarter as the Clippers were making their comeback. Gasol finally asserted himself with 23 points after scoring a total of 27 in the previous three games and attempting only nine shots in the two losses in Los Angeles.

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS: Paul jammed the middle finger on his shooting hand early Wednesday, but a strained hip flexor forced him to the bench with 1:24 to play. His ability to take over a game cannot be overstated. Paul scored 10 points in an 81-second span of the third quarter to cut a 24-point deficit in half. He said he couldn’t continue Wednesday but insisted he will be ready for Game 6. Griffin had his first career double-double before hyper-flexing his knee with 1 ½ minutes left in the third quarter. While he remained in the game, he had just one point after he was hurt. He underwent an MRI exam Thursday.

TRENDS:
- The Grizzlies are 1-5 ATS in their last six road games.
- The under is 9-2 in the Grizzlies' last 11 road games.
- The home team is 5-2-1 ATS in the last eight meetings.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. With Paul,Griffin and Caron Butler (broken hand) all ailing, Clippers G Mo Williams scored 20 points and sparked the fourth-quarter comeback.

2. After hitting a season-high 11 3-pointers in Game 1, Memphis has gone 10 of 44 from behind the arc.

3. How rare is it for a team to come back from a 3-1 deficit and win a series? It’s only been done eight times in NBA history.

[StarDust Bum]

Game 6 - Grizzlies/Clippers

May 10, 2012


The lone Friday night game inside the NBA playoffs involves a team from Los Angeles, just not the Lakers. The Clippers squandered an opportunity to close their first round series with the Grizzlies after getting blown out at FedEx Forum, 92-80 in Game 5. L.A. still leads, 3-2 with the series shifting back to Staples Center as the Clippers look to advance to the second round for just the second time since 1977.

Memphis stayed alive with Wednesday's 12-point victory as 6 ½-point favorites, while the 'under' of 183 cashed thanks to a 30-point fourth quarter. The Grizzlies jumped out to a 14-point cushion after one quarter, as Lionel Hollins' squad led comfortably, 57-42 at the half. The three-point shooting by the Grizzlies was non-existent (0-6), but the fourth-seed made up for it by knocking down 28 of 34 free throws.

The difference in Game 5 was the frontcourt production, as the Grizzlies' starters outscored the Clippers' big three of Caron Butler, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan by a 56-24 count. Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph dominated in the paint by combining for 42 points and 17 rebounds. Rudy Gay stepped up after missing last season's playoffs with a shoulder injury, as the former UConn standout is averaging 20.1 points per game in this series.

The home team improved to 7-1 SU and 5-2-1 ATS in eight meetings this season, as the Clippers have won all four matchups with the Grizzlies at Staples Center. Los Angeles rallied in Game 3 to pull out an 87-86 triumph, but failed to cover as three-point 'chalk.' The problem with Vinny Del Negro's team in this series is free throw shooting, which saw plenty of clanks in a 13-of-30 performance from the charity stripe in Game 3.

The Grizzlies made the comeback in Game 4 to force overtime, but the Clippers hit timely free throws to hold off Memphis, 101-97 as two-point favorites. Griffin and Chris Paul combined to score 57 points, while Butler overcame a hand injury in Game 1 by putting up 14 points.

Both Paul and Griffin were knocked around in Game 5, as the All-Star point guard strained his right hip flexor and jammed a finger. The former Slam Dunk champion sprained his left knee, but both Clippers' stars are expected to play on Friday night.

The Clippers last advanced to the conference semifinals in 2006, when Los Angeles knocked out Denver in five games. L.A. eventually was bounced by Phoenix in an epic seven-game series in the second round, as this is uncharted territory for a franchise that has bounced from Buffalo to San Diego to Los Angeles looking for any kind of success.

Memphis is in the playoffs for just the fifth time in its 17-year history, dating back to the early days of Bryant Reeves in Vancouver. The Grizzlies own a 2-4 SU/ATS record in elimination contests inside the postseason, with one of those victories coming in Game 5 against the Clippers.

The bad news for potential Memphis backers in Friday's Game 6 is the 2-7 SU/ATS mark in the last nine away games off a win. The 'under' has turned into profitable play in this situation, cashing in seven of nine opportunities. The Clippers have dominated at home off a defeat, winning 13 of 15 times, even though L.A. is 2-5 ATS the previous seven contests in this scenario. The 'under' is 12-3 in these 15 contests, including a sizzling 10-2 mark when the Clippers are listed as a home favorite.

[StarDust Bum]

Grizzlies Force Series With Clippers Back To LA

The Memphis Grizzlies are probably thinking that they should at least be in a position to close out their first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night.

And they would probably be correct.

But reality dictates otherwise, and there are no do-overs for Memphis blowing a 27-point lead in Game 1, and losing a pair of bitter, white-knuckle finishes in Games 3 and 4.

Instead, Lionel Hollins’ crew will be itself looking to stave off elimination for a second consecutive game.

The Grizz and the Clips have the NBA Friday schedule to themselves for Game 6 at Staples Center, with tip-off slated for 9:05 p.m. (ET). National TV coverage will be provided by ESPN and will give us a look at whether LA, up 3-2 in the series, can advance to the Western Conference semifinals for the first time since 2006, a year in which the Clippers beat Denver in the first round in five games before bowing to the Suns in seven games. That was also the last season prior to this 2011-12 campaign that Donald Sterling’s team had participated in the postseason.

A check of the Don Best NBA odds screen notes that LA has been priced as an early 2½-point favorite, with a total at 182½, although most Las Vegas sports books were waiting to post the game until more definitive word from the Clipper camp regarding the injury status of PF Blake Griffin and PG Chris Paul, both injured in Wednesday night’s 92-80 win by the Grizzlies at FedEx Forum.

Indeed, much of the intrigue leading up to Game 6 will regard the health and availability of Griffin and Paul. Griffin, who sprained his left knee, will undergo an MRI later Thursday to determine the extent of his injury. Paul, diagnosed with a strained hip flexor, was likely to be a game-time decision on Friday night.

Needless to say, the Clippers’ chances would be harmed, and the pointspread adjusted accordingly, if one or both would be forced to miss action. Of the two, most insiders suggest that Paul’s potential absence would be more impactful, as there is no comparable component on the Clipper roster to create shots for not only himself, but his teammates.

Thus, it is fair to wonder where the Clippers are going to find shots, and their offense, were Paul to be sidelined. Although early reports indicate that Paul would be likely to give it a go on Friday night, we still don’t know how much Paul might be compromised (especially on the defensive end) if he indeed makes the post on Friday night.

If there is a worst case for LA coach Vinny Del Negro, injuries to Paul and Griffin are about as close as it can get to that scenario.

Even if Paul and Griffin are available, however, Memphis is going to like its chances. The Grizzlies have led the action for the majority of this series but have had trouble closing out the games, and the collapse at the end of Game 1 – when the Clips outscored the Griz 28-3 down the stretch to steal a 99-98 win – continues to haunt Hollins’ crew.

The Clips made similar runs at the end of Games 2 and 5 to no avail, however, and the Grizzlies were able to repel LA’s late surge in Wednesday’s game that had cut the Memphis lead from 24 points down to six. In the end, however, the Grizz steadied and won handily by a 92-80 count.

Hollins made a slight tactical adjustment to good effect in Wednesday’s Game 5, focusing more on pounding the ball into the paint on the attack end. This strategy takes better advantage of rugged C Marc Gasol’s presence on the blocks as well as his uncanny ability to pass from the post. Gasol scored 23 points on Wednesday, and with frontline mate Zach Randolph also off of his best game in this series (a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds) and becoming more comfy on the floor the further removed he is from the knee injury that sidelined him for 2½ months this winter, Hollins might have found the proper strategy to give the Clippers their most problems.

It’s also good business for Memphis to pound the ball into the paint, because its three-point shooting has been inconsistent to say the least in this series, as Wednesday night’s 0-for-6 effort from tripleville would indicate.

For LA, if Griffin is limited or misses action entirely, it is likely going to mean more minutes for veteran frontliner Kenyon Martin, who has only scored 12 points and snared 12 rebounds in the first five games of this series and played just 10 minutes in Wednesday’s loss.

It’s Paul’s potential absence, however, that has the Clippers and their backers most concerned.

Also, note that this series has slowed its pace, with ‘unders’ in two of the past three games. And even the ‘over’ in that stretch was due to overtime in Game 4, which sat at only 174 after regulation. Games 3 (180 total) and 5 (172 total) were played at a similar ‘under’ pace, which we hardly envision accelerating if Paul is either out or playing at something less than 100 percent.