Tonight, the Phoenix Suns fight for their playoff lives against their immediate rivals for that no. 8 seed – the Memphis Grizzlies. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat hope to prolong the race for the no. 1 seed in the East until the final day of the season with a road win in DC.
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Memphis Grizzlies vs. Phoenix Suns (10:00 PM ET)
Line: Memphis Grizzlies (+3.5) at Phoenix Suns (-3.5); total: 198.0 – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Memphis Grizzlies
[sc:NBA240banner ]The Memphis Grizzlies are one win away from clinching the no. 8 seed in the West. The Grizzlies have won three straight games and are 4-1 SU in their last five to build a one-game lead over the Phoenix Suns for that last remaining playoff spot.
Led by All-Star center Marc Gasol (20 PPG and 13 RPG in his last three games), the Grizzlies have been dominating the painted area by a considerable margin. Memphis is averaging 56 points in the paint while also outrebounding its opponents by more than 15 boards over the last three contests.
Memphis is a perfect 3-0 SU/ATS against the Suns this season despite missing Gasol in all three meetings.
Betting on the Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are one game away from playoff elimination, no thanks to consecutive second half meltdowns in back-to-back games. The Suns gave away a 13-point halftime lead in an eventual 112-104 loss to the Spurs, only to give up a 14-point halftime lead in a heartbreaking 101-98 loss to the Mavs the following night.
Goran Dragic has lost steam in April (just 18.5 PPG on 42% shooting), but Eric Bledsoe (23-5-5 on 60% shooting) and sixth man Gerald Green (21 PPG on 50% 3-point shooting) have been spectacular this month.
The Suns’ backcourt trio will all have to be on top of their game to puncture Memphis’ stout defense. The under is 6-0 in Phoenix’s last 6 home games vs. the Grizzlies. Moreover, Phoenix is 4-1 SU in its last five home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Phoenix doesn’t match up well with Memphis’ bulk inside. The underdog Grizzlies sweep the season series and secure the playoff spot.
After beating the Indiana Pacers 98-86 to reclaim the no. 1 seed in the East on Friday, the Miami Heat gave it right back the following night with a 98-85 road loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
Despite LeBron James’ valiant effort (27-8-5 vs. Atlanta; 31 PPG in April) plus the return of Dwyane Wade (24 points on 10-14 shooting), the Heat still couldn’t put the Hawks away. Chris Bosh was the only other Heat player in double-digits, but is averaging just 12 PPG in his last five.
The struggling Heat are now just 3-7 SU/ATS in their last 10 road games, while the total has gone under in four of their last five on the road.
Betting on the Washington Wizards
The regular season’s still not over for the Washington Wizards, who can possibly rise to no. 5 or drop to no. 7 in the Eastern Conference standings. The Wizards are coming off back-to-back wins, albeit against the Bucks and Magic.
John Wall (13 PPG on 35% shooting in his last three) has been struggling with his shot, but the Washington offense will be buoyed by the return of big man Nene from injury. In his first game back, the Brazilian led the Wizards with 17 points on 7-11 shooting in their 96-86 win over Orlando on Friday.
Nene could be a valuable weapon, especially in the paint against the undersized Heat. The Wizards are 3-1 SU/ATS in their last 4 home games vs. Miami while the under is 9-1 in their last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
With the no. 1 seed still in reach, LeBron James has one more spectacular performance in him to carry the Heat toward a rare road win while covering the spread.
