San Antonio Spurs vs. Memphis Grizzlies Predictions, Picks and Preview – 2016 NBA Playoffs – Western Conference First Round Game Three – April 22, 2016

Similar to Game 1, the San Antonio Spurs methodically dispatched the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 2 with the final score of 94-68. Now, the Spurs set their sights of going up 3-0 when they travel to Tennessee for the third game of this first-round series. Can San Antonio impose its will again? Or will the Grizzlies finally capture their first win here?

Read on below for a detailed look at this Western Conference matchup. And while you’re at it, check out our preview of Game 3 between the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics.

San Antonio Spurs vs. Memphis Grizzlies Betting Preview

Where: FedEx Center, Memphis, Tennessee

When: Friday, April 22, 2016, 9:30 PM ET

Line: San Antonio Spurs (-11.5) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (+11.5); total: 181.5 – view all NBA lines

TV Broadcast: ESPN

Betting on the San Antonio Spurs

Just in case that it’s still not obvious, the Spurs are still the far superior team here. They’ve proven this by scoring 100.0 points per game, and by beating the Grizzlies by double-digits throughout the first two games of the series.

Game 3, which is set to tip off this Friday night, shouldn’t be any different. The Spurs swept the Grizzlies in the regular season, 4-0, and won by an average margin of 12.5 points. They also managed to eclipse the 100-point mark in all four games.

Moreover, San Antonio’s obviously not a stranger to the pressure of playing in front of a hostile crowd. The Spurs went 27-14 on the road this year, and the pair of Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge has had tremendous success in most of those road games.

Leonard is posting 21.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists across 33 road games. Aldridge, meanwhile, is tallying 17.6 points and 8.3 boards in almost the same stretch. He also holds career numbers of 18.0 points on 49.0 percent shooting and 7.3 rebounds against the Grizzlies.

San Antonio is 5-5 SU and 3-7 ATS in its previous 10 road games.

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Betting on the Memphis Grizzlies

The lack of offensive production continues to be the major problem for the Grizzlies. They’ve scored just 142 points combined, and are shooting just 35.7 percent from the floor throughout the first two games of this series.

Zach Randolph has tried his best to carry this team on his shoulders, but the Spurs’ defense—or his aging body—won’t let him do so. The veteran forward is averaging just 8.5 points on 8-of-30 shooting despite still managing to corral almost 10 rebounds per game. Randolph and the rest of the Grizzlies will hope that a trip back to the FedEx Center can rejuvenate their offense.

That might just be the case because Memphis has played considerably better at home this season, averaging 101.9 points per game. The Grizzlies also won most of their games at home with a 26-15 record, which is among the best in the Western Conference.

Defensively, the Grizzlies will need to be at their best as well. Yes, the Spurs are the best defensive team in the league, but they also boast a lethal offense that’s averaging 103.6 points (10th-highest).

Memphis, which is giving up 101.4 points per game, is 4-6 SU and 6-4 ATS in its past 10 home games.

Writer’s Prediction

Spurs (-11.5) win again, 97-83.