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The Grizzlies will host the Clippers in the NBA on Friday night, with both teams being shorthanded, but going in different directions at the moment.
The Grizzlies (9-23, 6-12 home) have lost 19 of their last 21 games and have been dirt poor since their star point guard Mike Conley went down. They also fired head coach David Fizdale in a very strange move, and are now operating under interim coach JB Bickerstaff. The situation in Memphis is grim, and that is reflected in their level of play. What`s worse for Memphis, they might be without Marc Gasol as well when the Clippers came to town.
The Clippers (13-18, 6-11 away) have been plagued by injuries all season, and everything appeared to be lost when Blake Griffin went down for a couple of months back in November. However, the Clippers have managed to stay in playoff contention, and the return of Milos Teodosic this month helped with that. Despite all the injuries, the Clippers have won 5 of their last 8 games, including a brilliant victory in Houston last night.
Bet on Grizzlies v Clippers and claim your 100% (100 Eur) freebet at Ohmbet now!Team news: Conley and Selden are out for Memphis, while Marc Gasol is questionable and will be assessed close to game time. The Clippers will be without Griffin, Gallinari, Beverly and possibly Johnson.
With or without Marc Gasol, the Grizzlies will have a tough time here. They are not showing effort or cohesion, while their opponents, the Clippers, have thrived due to exactly those qualities in the past few weeks.
As opposed to Memphis (who is useless without their playmaker Conley), the Clippers have learned to play through the injuries. The return of Milos Teodosic has been crucial as well, as he has already established himself as one of the best +/- players in the league, making the guys around him better.
If Marc Gasol ends up missing the game, the Grizzlies are very likely to lose without their two best players, him and Conley. Even with him available, it will be a difficult task for a disjointed team like Memphis to beat an in form team with good morale like LA is right now.
The Clippers are back to back on the road and that must be taken into account, but I don`t think it`s enough of a downside to make Memphis the favorite. Also, Teodosic was rested yesterday for LA, so he will be an infusion of fresh legs.
As far as I can tell, this should be the 20th loss in 22 matches for Memphis. Hopefully Gasol misses out and gives us an advantage, but the bet is not based on the premise of him missing.
The Clippers have the momentum, they are playing well, and I am backing them to win this game. Prediction: Memphis Grizzlies – LA Clippers 95 – 102.
Pick: Clippers
Odds: 1.98 @ 18Bet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 7.84
Event date: 24 December
