Memphis -6.5
I expect the Grizzlies to hold onto the 8th seed here and put the final curtain down on a miserable season for the Mavs. Dallas probably has more motivation (considering whoever wins just gets buzzsawed by OKC and they know it) to still want to make the playoffs in a way because of the Luka trade, and they probably can play better away without all the negative vibes from the home crowd, so it didn't surprise me at all they beat the Kings. Light the Beam was cool but the team overall not exactly playoff pedigree they have sucked in crunch time more often than not, historically
But Memphis is objectively a better team, with not only a winning home record but a winning road record - the mark of a good team some may say. While Dallas has a losing home and road record. I don't think motivation or spite can win this one.
Dallas allows less points but actually allows a higher shooting percentage. Memphis is 11th in made 3s this season vs 26th for Dallas and is 1st in free throws made Dallas also isn't bad at 6th. Blocks per game Dallas is also 6th with Davis there now they have gotten good at inside defense but Memphis actually is 3rd so they really are not just a one man show with Morant any more they have a good overall team. Coming back home etting the guys on back to back road games who had the soul of the team ripped out by an idiot GM is a great spot to advance compared to trying to beat the Warriors on the road which they made a decent effort at doing.
The other game I don't really have a pick on, slight preference to Miami same as the oddsmakers have it but could go either way the Heat are much better defensively and with their coaching also an advantage, they could play themselves in. I could see Hawks winning tho if Trae getting tossed sparks him to have a monster game.
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