As most anticipated, this series was going to be an easy one for the San Antonio Spurs, who commandingly cruised towards a 32-point win over the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1. And now, the Spurs will look to do same thing again for Game 2, which is set to tip off tonight. Can they do so? Or will the Grizzlies make things more interesting and competitive this time around?
Read on below for a better look at this matchup. And while you’re at it, check out our preview of Game 2 between the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Memphis Grizzlies Betting Preview
Where: AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX
When: Tuesday, April 19, 2016, 9:30 PM ET
Line: San Antonio Spurs (-18.5) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (+18.5); total: 187.0 – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast:TNT
Betting on the San Antonio Spurs
Flawless would be the best word to describe San Antonio’s victory in Game 1. The Spurs completely overwhelmed the opposition from both sides of the floor, shooting 51.9 percent collectively from the floor and limiting the Grizzlies to 74 points, including just 13 points in the opening period.
A testament to this success is none other than is Kawhi Leonard, who was very aggressive from start to finish. The recently-crowned Defensive Player of the Year unleashed game-highs of 20 points, four steals and three blocks.
Besides him, the pair of LaMarcus Aldridge and Tony Parker also made their presence known. Both players scored in double-figures with 17 and 15 points, respectively.
Tim Duncan, meanwhile, was productive in his own way after accumulating around 21 minutes of playing time. The 19-year veteran finished with just seven points, but was able to grab a total of 11 rebounds along with two blocks as well.
All in all, the Spurs are better than Memphis in almost every way possible. The only thing that could put San Antonio in a precarious situation would be overconfidence or allow the Grizzlies to find their sweet spots. But other than those, it’s extremely hard to see Gregg Popovich’s boys lose Game 2, which will also be played at their own home floor.
San Antonio, which is allowing just 92.7 points in the regular season, is 19-1 SU and 8-12 ATS in its previous 20 games at AT&T Center.
Memphis did quite well to hang around up to the first half in Game 1 against San Antonio. But after that, things went south really fast during the third quarter, wherein they were eventually outscored by 19 points. And from that point on, the game was already decided as the Spurs didn’t need to play any of their starters during the final period.
Well, you can’t blame the Grizzlies from being dominated. After all, they’ve been playing short-handed even before the postseason began. Mike Conley and Marc Gasol, one of their two best scoring threats, are out for the season, which leaves Zach Randolph to carry most of the load for the team.
In his prime, Randolph might just have at least better chance of leading Memphis to an upset in this series. But now at the age 34 years old, that’s just too much for Randolph, who was limited to just 3-of-13 shooting in Game 1, to handle.
That being said, it’s going to take a collective effort for the Grizzlies to shock the Spurs in tonight’s Game 2 or in the entire series overall. The trio of Matt Barnes, Lance Stephenson and Vince Carter, in particular, ought to take some of the pressure off Randolph’s back.
Barnes was only held to two points in the opener, but he is averaging 10.0 points during the regular season. Stephenson and Carter, meanwhile, served as the lone bright spots for the Grizzlies in Game 1, scoring 14 and 16 points, respectively.
Lastly, the Grizzlies defense will need to pick it up as well. They are giving up almost 110 points per game in their previous five contests. If this keeps up, don’t be surprised to see them head back to the FedEx Center down 0-2 in the series.
Memphis is 3-7 ATS in its past 10 road games.
Writer’s Prediction
Spurs (-18.5) tear apart the Grizzlies down the stretch and win, 103-88.
