Spurs vs. Grizzlies Prediction: NBA Odds, Point Spread
It’s win-or-go-home time as the San Antonio Spurs are headed to Memphis to face the Grizzlies in the 9-10 game of the NBA Play-In Tournament. The winner of this game will face the loser of the Golden State Warriors vs. L.A. Lakers game for a chance at the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Memphis is looking to break a three-year postseason absence, while San Antonio is trying to punch their playoff ticket after their 22-year postseason streak was snapped last year.
The Grizzlies are 3.5-point favourites on the NBA odds with a total of 222.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Memphis has to be feeling good going into this game. The Grizzlies blew out the Spurs twice in 2021, with both meetings happening in San Antonio. The Spurs did, however, pick up a 131-119 win in Memphis in December. The last time these teams met, a 133-102 Grizzlies win on Feb. 1, Memphis had nine different players score double-digit points. The Over easily hit in all three games this season.
The Spurs are suffering from road woes at the worst possible team. Despite a winning record outside of San Antonio this season, the Spurs have dropped seven of their last eight road games and eight of their last 10 games overall. They were 38-32-2 against the spread this season and covered in 23 of 36 road games. San Antonio hit the Over in four of their last five games.
Memphis was just 18-18 at home this season, but they finished the year strong. The Grizzlies won four of their last five home games and four of their final five games overall. They were 41-30-1 ATS, but failed to cover in four of their last five games. The total went Under in 23 of 36 home games for Memphis this year.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs will be relying on depth and veteran leadership for this game. Scoring responsibility was spread throughout the roster, with eight different players averaging double-digit points this season. Every key rotation player has appeared in at least two playoff series’ and 10 playoff games, capped off by DeMar DeRozan and Patty Mills, who have a combined 148 games of playoff experience.
DeRozan averaged team-highs in points (21.6) and assists (6.9) per game, while also adding 4.2 rebounds. It was a career-high in assists for the 11-year veteran and former Raptors star. The Spurs may benefit more in this game from DeRozan being a little selfish, though. With 11 games of 30 or more points this year, DeRozan has the ability to go off and carry this team on his back. That, combined with Gregg Popovich behind the bench, is a recipe for an upset.
Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis also likes to spread the scoring throughout the offence, leading to seven different Grizzlies’ players averaging double-digit points this season. Ja Morant is Memphis’ biggest offensive threat. The 2020 NBA Rookie of the Year averaged 19.1 points (team-high), 4.0 rebounds and 7.4 assists (team-high) per game this season.
The Grizzlies also have Jonas Valanciunas playing the best basketball of his career. The former Toronto Raptor has been a beast this year, averaging career-high’s of 17.1 points per game and 12.5 rebounds. His 48 double-double’s were third-most in the NBA this year and his 16 consecutive double-double’s set a new franchise record. Valanciunas is the main reason Memphis averaged a league-high 55.8 points per game in the paint and with him on the floor, this is a team to be feared.
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