Portland Trail Blazers at Memphis Grizzlies
Two of the West’s playoff contenders go head to head in an exciting battle in Memphis.
The Grizzlies (15-11) have surpassed expectations this season, even sitting number one in the standings not long ago, but are coming off consecutive losses to the Lakers and Nuggets.
The addition of Joakim Noah should ease the burden off Marc Gasol’s shoulders, who along with Mike Conley, has been leaned on too heavily this season.
The return of JaMychal Green has thrown off Jaren Jackson Jr.’s role, who was playing like a Rookie of the Year contender (averaging a team-high 1.8 blocks per game).
The Grizz remain third in the league in points allowed at 102.8 and will look to lock down Damian Lillard, which has proven to be the key to stopping Portland.
The Blazers (15-11) are coming off two home wins against the undermanned Suns and Timberwolves, but have struggled on the road this season (5-7).
Terry Stotts’ team will be coming off a road trip from Houston, which makes it tough to see them winning. But with Jusuf Nurkic and Al-Farouq Aminu stepping their games up recently to support Lillard and McCollum, they are capable of pulling off an upset.
The Grizzlies should grind it out at home.
Tip: Memphis -3.5 @ $1.98.
OKC Thunder at New Orleans Pelicans (ESPN)
The Thunder (17-8) travel to New Orleans (14-15) in the first of ESPN’s double-header.
OKC are rolling, winning five of their past six games to climb to the top of the West’s standings.
Paul George deserves the bulk of the plaudits, averaging 26.8 points on 49 per cent shooting, 3.6 triples, 7.6 rebounds and 2.4 steals over his last five games, and should be up there in the MVP discussion.
The Thunder are 12-5 with Russell Westbrook in the lineup, who is averaging a triple-double for a third consecutive season. Billy Donovan’s team sits top five in the NBA in rebounds and points allowed and basically need to contain Anthony Davis to win this one.
The Pelicans have been patchy this season, sitting 28th in points allowed (115.6) despite having arguably the league’s best interior defender guarding the paint in Davis.
Jrue Holiday (averaging 22.6 points on 51 per cent shooting, 8.8 assists, 2.8 steals in his last five) is playing out of his skin, and Julius Randle (27.6 points on 59 per cent shooting and 11.2 rebounds in his last five) has been promoted to the starting lineup for his strong play.
And yet despite the individual excellence, Alvin Gentry’s team has not been consistently winning games. With Nikola Mirotic out with an ankle injury, the Pelicans well need the aforementioned to have monster games, otherwise, their pain will continue.
Tip: OKC to win @ $1.78.
Toronto Raptors at Golden State Warriors (ESPN)
Lets just hope the second instalment is as good as the first.
The Raptors (21-7) narrowly edged out the Warriors (19-9) a fortnight ago in an overtime thriller despite a 51-point explosion from Kevin Durant.
This time it’s in Golden State’s house, and the return of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green give this team a mighty boost. The Warriors are starting to find their groove again with four wins on the trot and could find themselves in the West’s number one seed by the end of the week.
Curry looks like he hasn’t missed a beat, averaging 31.4 points on 51 per cent shooting and 96 per cent from the free throw line, 5.6 triples and 5.2 assists per game in his last five.
Toronto are coming off a two-game skid and a trip from LA. Kyle Lowry has put up a stingy 3.8 points on 14 per cent shooting in his last five and the Raptors star point guard needs to help Kawhi Leonard on offence and somehow nullify Curry at the other end. Otherwise, it is hard to see Toronto upsetting the near full-strength Golden State in Oakland.
Tip: Golden State to win @ $1.35
