The NBA’s top scoring defense will be a 2.5-point underdog on the road at AT&T Center, when the Memphis Grizzlies (11-5) face off with the San Antonio Spurs (8-8). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 200.5 points and it will air on Fox Sports – Southeast at 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 21, 2018.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. San Antonio Spurs ATS Odds
The Grizzlies beat the Dallas Mavericks in their last outing, 98-88, covering as 3-point favorites. The Spurs, on the other hand, were beaten by the New Orleans Pelicans, 140-126, and failed to cover as 7.5-point underdogs. The Memphis game went 13 points under the projected point total of 199, while the San Antonio game went 44 points over the projected point total of 222.
Memphis’ 0.544 effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Dallas, who had a mark of 0.398. The Grizzlies’ mark was above their season average of 0.513, while the Mavericks’ was below their season average of 0.536. San Antonio, on the other hand, did a terrific job of getting and making free throws (24-30; 80.0 percent). DeMar DeRozan played well for San Antonio with 21 points, six rebounds and five assists. Marc Gasol, meanwhile had a good outing for Memphis, putting up 17 points and 15 rebounds.
The Spurs dominated this series last year, winning all four games. In the most recent contest, San Antonio won 100-98. One of San Antonio’s biggest advantages was getting to the free throw line. They made 31 trips to the line, while Memphis went just nine times. This is the first time these teams will meet this year.
Of the Grizzlies’ 16 games, 10 have finished under the total. Memphis comes into the game with records of 11-5 straight up (SU) and 11-5 against the spread (ATS).
Games featuring the Spurs have no tendency in regards to the projected point total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under. Further, San Antonio is 8-8 SU and 8-8 ATS.
Gasol and Jaren Jackson Jr. have played at a high level over the last five games for Memphis. Gasol has averaged 22 points,9.8 rebounds,3.2 assists,1.2 steals,1.2 blocks per game, while Jackson Jr. has recorded 14 points,2.2 blocks,1.4 steals a game during that span.
Half-court execution will be critical when a pair of the league’s slowest-paced teams face off. San Antonio currently ranks 23rd in possessions per game (101.3) and Memphis is 30th (97.9). Moreover, the Grizzlies rank fifth in turnover percentage (13.1 percent), while the Spurs rank 24th in opponents’ turnover percentage (12.8 percent).
Grizzlies vs. Spurs ATS Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Spurs, ATS Winner – Grizzlies, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Grizzlies rank 24 in three pointers attempted per game (27.75) while the Spurs rank 28 (24.8125).
- Memphis ranks second in steals per game (9.8) while San Antonio ranks 26th (6.4).
- The Spurs rank 14th in second chance points per game (14.0) while the Grizzlies rank last (9.1).
- San Antonio ranks 13th in rebounds per game (45.4) while Memphis ranks 28th (38.9).
- Memphis ranks 18 in blocks per game (5.0625) while San Antonio ranks 26 (4.0625).
- The Grizzlies rank third in points off turnovers per game (21.3) while the Spurs rank 26th (15.3).
- The Grizzlies rank 19 in fast break points per game (11.6875) while the Spurs rank 29 (8.75).
- Memphis ranks third in points allowed in the paint per game (42.6) while San Antonio ranks 21st (49.5).
- When allowing under 100 points, San Antonio is 4-1 and Memphis is 6-2.
- When scoring above 100 points, the Spurs are 7-4 and the Grizzlies are 8-2.
- Memphis is 4-4 ATS on the road, while San Antonio is 5-3 ATS at home.
- Of the Grizzlies’ 8 road games, they have 6 unders and 2 overs.
- In 8 home games, the Spurs have 4 overs and 4 unders.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Memphis and San Antonio have both had 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Grizzlies are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Spurs are 2-3.
- The Grizzlies’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.2, up from 3.0 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Spurs have scored an average of 107.2 points per game (1.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 113.6 points per game (3.9 above their season average).
