With just days left in the NBA regular season, the Western Conference playoff picture is still in a state of flux. The New Orleans Pelicans have finally broken through to the No. 8 seed, while the seedings from No. 2 to No. 6 – where the Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs all reside – can still change very drastically.
How will this day of basketball affect these four Western teams? Read on as we preview the two best and most intriguing games today. Also, add some East Coast baseball flavor to your Wednesday by checking out our preview of the Mets vs. Nats.
[sc:NBAArticles ]New Orleans Pelicans vs. Memphis Grizzlies (8:00 PM ET)
Line: New Orleans Pelicans (+6) at Memphis Grizzlies (-6); total 186.0 – view all NBA lines
[sc:NBA240banner ]With a gutsy 103-100 win last night over the league-leading Golden State Warriors – their fifth win in the last six games – the New Orleans Pelicans are finally the West’s No. 8 seed in the playoffs – for now. After a slow start to the month, Anthony Davis exploded with 29 points against the Warriors, his fourth straight home game of 24 or more points.
Davis will lead the Pelicans into the Grindhouse, where the Memphis Grizzlies lost 92-83 against the Washington Wizards on Saturday. Zach Randolph (16 points per game) took just five shots in 32 minutes on the floor. He did not participate in practice on Tuesday due to a lingering back issue, and is listed as day-to-day. The under has gone 18-2 in the Grizzlies’ last 20 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Pelicans outwork the Grizzlies to an 88-82 win.
Houston Rockets vs. San Antonio Spurs (8:30 PM ET)
Line: Houston Rockets (+5.5) at San Antonio Spurs (-5.5); total 208.5 – view all NBA lines
Thanks to a 10-2 record (8-4 against the spread) in their last 12 games, the Houston Rockets have finally moved up to No. 2 in the Western Conference, which would see them avoid the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs. MVP candidate James Harden has been instrumental in that run, with four 40-plus-point games in that span, including two in his last three games.
Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs continue their imperious march toward the playoffs. The Spurs extended their winning streak to eight games with a 113-88 demolition of the Thunder at Oklahoma City last night. Kawhi Leonard hit his career high of 26 points for the second time in as many games. However, Tony Parker left the game with tightness in his right Achilles tendon and did not return.
Writer’s Prediction
The Spurs stroll past Harden and the Rockets for a 114-93 win. Create a betting account now and get prepped for the NBA’s ever-exciting postseason.
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