LA Clippers at Memphis NBA Spread, Free Pick & TV Info

The Los Angeles Clippers play their final game against each other on Thursday night, although it’s possible they could face off in the postseason. Unlikely, however, with the Clippers sitting fifth in the West and the Grizzlies sixth. The Grizzlies are likely to be slight favorites in the NBA spreads.

LA Clippers at Memphis NBA Spread, Free Pick & TV Info

When: Thursday, March 9, 8 PM ET Where: FedEx Forum, Memphis TV: NBA League Pass Stream: NBA.tv Radio: Los Angeles / Memphis NBA Odds: Clippers favored by TBA

Why Bet on LA Clippers?

It will be the second of a back-to- back for Los Angeles as it was in Minnesota on Wednesday. The Clips entered that on a two-game winning streak and they were very impressive on Monday in a 116-102 win over Boston. Blake Griffin finished with 26 points, eight rebounds and three assists in 36 minutes. Griffin is averaging 25.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists over his past six games. Chris Paul had 23 points. Jamal Crawford had 17 of his 19 points in the second half. Down by as many as 13 points and still trailing 71-64, the Clippers ran off the 11 unanswered points in the final 1:41 of the third quarter. Crawford’s three 3-pointers sparked the run. The Clippers posted their highest-shooting quarter in 20 seasons, shooting 81.3% (13-16 FG) from the field in the fourth quarter of their win over the Celtics. L.A. matched their highest scoring quarter of the season (12/30/16 at Houston, 3rd Q), posting 41 points in the frame. L.A. totaled 72 points in the second-half, tied (four times) for their most in any half this season. DeAndre Jordan made only three of 16 attempts from the line (18.8 percent) Monday, the lowest free throw percentage in a game of at least 15 attempts for any NBA player in almost 27 years. The Nets’ Chris Dudley made one of 18 free throw attempts (5.6 percent) on April 14, 1990. The Clippers’ starting-unit of Griffin, Jordan, Luc Mbah a Moute, Paul and J.J. Redick has the second- highest net rating, second-best defensive rating and second-highest offensive rating among all lineups that have appeared in at least 400 minutes this season. Griffin is one of three players in the NBA averaging 20+ points, 8.5+ rebounds & 5.0+ assists this season.

Why Bet on Memphis?

The Grizzlies enter on a three-game losing streak and off an embarrassing 122-109 home loss Monday to the NBA’s worst team, Brooklyn. The loss to the Nets was the Grizzlies’ fifth defeat in the last seven. “I don’t know what to say,” said reserve forward Zach Randolph, who had 10 points, but was 4 of 12 from the field. The Grizzlies’ lead was as large as 12 points but they could never demoralize the Nets. Brooklyn knotted the score at 91 with a 3-pointer on its first possession of the fourth quarter. The Nets finished with 14 baskets from beyond the arc. Mike Conley hit 9-of- 15 shots, three 3-pointers and 11-of- 14 free throw for 32 points, three rebounds, six assists and a steal in 39 minutes. Conley’s on fire right now, scoring between 23 and 32 points in each of his last five games while averaging 29 points, 3.6 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 3.2 3-pointers on 55 percent shooting over that stretch. Marc Gasol posted 18 points and six rebounds in 34 minutes while Chandler Parsons (12 points) scored in double figures for the seventh time this season and fell just two points shy of his season-high of 14. The game marked Vince Carter’s 1,330th game of his career. Carter passed Moses Malone (1,329) for 16th in NBA history for career regular season games played. Memphis coach David Fizdale tipped his hand on a lineup change in pregame comments. Fizdale noted the Grizzlies entered the game 14-13 since Jan. 1 and that is unacceptable. “At some point, obviously, I’m going to look to shake some things up,” he said. He started Andrew Harrison at guard and Brandan Wright at forward with JaMychal Green and Tony Allen coming off the bench. Fizdale’s changes were designed mostly to turn Conley into his primary shooting guard. Harrison had just five points and Wright nine. LA Clippers at Memphis Free Pick: Memphis Grizzilies The Clippers lead the season series 2-1 but I like Memphis to shake out of its slump here with the Clippers playing the night before.