The winner of the Southwest Division in the NBA has been known for quite some time now, as the San Antonio Spurs have been quietly putting together a remarkable regular season. While the outcome may have long since been decided, there is still a race going on behind the Spurs that could have playoff ramifications. The Memphis Grizzlies are in second spot at the moment, but they are feeling the Dallas Mavericks start to breathe down their neck a little as they head down the stretch. The team that ends up with the 2nd place spot in the division may well land the #5 seed, while the 3rd place finisher will get the #8, and a first round meeting with the San Antonio Spurs. You can understand why second place in the division is so crucial. Memphis and Dallas will hook up on Friday night, with the Mavs looking to cut the lead to 1 game. Full odds for this one can be found at the MyBookie.ag NBA betting page.
How To Bet The Memphis Vs Dallas NBA Odds, TV & Game Info
When: Friday, April 8 at 8:30 PM EST
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas
TV: NBATV
NBA Odds: TBA
Why bet on the Memphis Grizzlies
It’s tough to feel sorry for a team that is almost certainly going to be in the playoffs, but you just wonder where the Memphis Grizzlies (42-36) might have ended up if they hadn’t been obliterated by injuries. They have been forced to start a stunning number of different players this season as they try to battle through the injury crisis, and they are barely clinging on to the #5 seed right now. They certainly helped their cause with a win over the Bulls in their last game, which helped bring a 6-game losing skid to a halt. They are just 3-7 in their last 10 games, though, and you have to wonder what this undermanned squad has left to give. The Grizzlies are averaging 99.3 PPG, and are giving up 100.9 PPG.
Why bet on the Dallas Mavericks
There were not a lot of people picking the Dallas Mavericks (40-38) to be in a playoff spot at this stage of the season, but make no mistake, they deserve to be there. They are coming into this one on a 5-game winning streak, and are coming off their biggest win of the season so far. Their last game saw them knock off the Houston Rockets to open up a 2-game lead on their in-state rivals who hold the #9 seed. The Mavericks lost to Memphis earlier in the season, but won the next 2 meetings, at a time when the injuries were starting to pile up for the Grizz. Dallas are averaging 102.6 PPG, and are giving up 103.0 PPG.
Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction
Both of these teams would love to avoid a first round match-up with San Antonio, and a win here could go a long way towards making that happen. The Mavericks are hot right now, and they are also healthy, which is why I think they come away with the win.
Memphis Grizzlies 99 Dallas Mavericks 101
