What better way to spend your Sunday night with a pair of blockbuster games in store for your viewing and betting pleasure.
Our first match features the two teams looking end their respective losing skids as Kobe Bryant and his Los Angeles Lakers pay the Marc Gasol-led Memphis Grizzlies a visit at the FedEx Forum. Following shortly at the TCF Bank Stadium, the New York Giants and the Minnesota Vikings collide for what’s bound to be a good one as we head closer to the end of the regular seaosn.
Read on below for a brief breakdown of these two intriguing games. And while you’re at it check out our comprehensive preview of the Monday Night Football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos.
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Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies (6:00 PM ET)
Line: Los Angeles Lakers (+11) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (-11); total: 198.0– view all NBA lines
[sc:NBA240banner ]Kobe Bryant’s final Christmas game didn’t turn out to be a good one. He was limited to just 12 points on 4-of-10 shooting, three rebounds and three assists by the Clippers, who defeated them 94-84 on Friday night. Bryant and co. are now 5-25 on the season and have lost two of their last 10 games. They’ll try to hopefully turn things around and play with a better effort opposite the Memphis Grizzlies.
Speaking of the Grizzlies, they’ve also had their share of struggles this season. They are 16-16 thus far this year but are currently on a two-game slide with the latest one against the Hornets, 98-92. Marc Gasol, the team’s leading scorer (16.1 PPG), should be able to guide his team back to the winning column versus a Lakers squad that ranks worst in the NBA in defensive efficiency and 28th in points per game (96.2).
Los Angeles is 1-4 SU and 2-3 ATS in its past five road games. Memphis, meanwhile, is 3-2 SU and 2-3 ATS in its last five at hoem.
Writer’s Prediction
Lakers (+11) ride on an efficient performance from Kobe Bryant and D’Angelo Russell. They pull off the upset against Memphis, 94-90.
New York Giants vs. Minnesota Vikings (8:25 PM ET)
Line: New York Giants (+6) vs. Minnesota Vikings (-6); total: 46.0– view all NFL lines
Last Sunday, The New York Giants almost became the first team this season to taint the still-unbeaten Carolina Panthers. The Giants stormed back from a 28-point deficit by tying the game up with less than two minutes on the clock. However, their efforts went to no avail as they allowed the Panthers score the game-winning field goal.
Making matters worse though, is that their best wide receiver—Odell Beckham Jr.—is suspended for their game against the Minnesota Vikings due to his unsportsmanlike behavior in their loss to Carolina. That being the case, the Giants are going to need all the help they can get to at least end their campaign on a winning note.
Eli Manning, who has thrown for 879 yards with nine touchdowns in the last three games, could perhaps find some success in trusting Rashad Jennings on the ground. Jennings could make his presence felt opposite a porous Minnesota front seven (112.9 rushing yards allowed per game), as he’s fresh off his best game of the season opposite the Panthers with 107 yards on 16 rushes and a score.
Meanwhile, the Viking will also be trying to build on one of their best wins of the year. They resoundingly defeated the Bears, 38-17, and it was all thanks to a career performance of Teddy Bridgewater, who completed 85 percent of his passes (17-of-20) and delivered four touchdowns. He’ll be trying to maintain his fine form versus the Giants, who have the worst pass defense in the NFL with 308.4 yards given up per game this year.
New York is 2-3 SU and 2-2-1 ATS in its previous five road games. Minnesota, on the other hand, is 3-2 SU and ATS in its last five games at home.
