NBA Betting Preview: Indiana Pacers vs. Memphis Grizzlies

The Indiana Pacers (17-8) will travel to take on the Memphis Grizzlies (13-13) on Friday night in an NBA contest inside the FedEx Forum.

Indiana Pacers at Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay is averaging 18.4 points per game

Indiana will close out a short two-game road trip when taking on the Memphis Grizzlies, coming in off a 97-87 defeat to the Atlanta Hawks as 3.5-point underdogs.  The Pacers have registered a solid 10-6 road record, while going 9-7 ATS in those contests.  “We fought like dogs in the second half to come back and compete,” stated Pacers head coach Frank Vogel.  Forward Danny Granger continues to lead the offense, scoring a team-high 21 points in the loss, but has shot below 30 percent in three of his last four games.  Indiana is 4-9 ATS as a road underdog of three points or less the last two-plus seasons.

The Pacers are 9-7 when playing the Grizzlies on the road, but have dropped three straight in Memphis, including a 99-78 defeat as nine-point underdogs in their last meeting on March 19, 2011.  Indiana has lost four consecutive games in the series, but will likely have a shot of breaking that streak with Memphis forward Zach Randolph being out of the lineup, as he’s been out for most of the 2011-12 season with a knee injury.

Memphis has been a streaky team this season and snapped a three-game losing streak with an 85-80 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves as 7.5-point home favorites on Wednesday night.  The Grizzlies have failed to cover their last three games, while going “under” the total in eight of 10.  Playing in front of the home fans has given the roster a boost during the first-half of the season, posting an 8-4 mark inside tonight’s venue.  Memphis is 0-2 ATS as a home favorite of three points or less.

The Grizzlies really need to get their offense going in order to pull off a win in this affair, scoring less than 90 points in their last three games.  Memphis guard Quincy Pondexter might be the guy to do it, scoring a career-high 17 points versus the Timberwolves in getting the start for an injured Tony Allen.  Forward Rudy Gay is still the No. 1 option on the offensive end, averaging 18.4 points, as he’s scored 18 or more points in six consecutive games.

Bettors will likely back the Grizzlies due to their 15-4 ATS mark as a home favorite of 4.5 points or less, while the Pacers are 0-7 ATS in the last seven meetings.

Recommendation: Memphis Grizzlies -1.5