The Memphis Grizzlies have another chance to send the San Antonio Spurs packing on Friday night in Game 6 of their Sportsbook-round playoff series.
Memphis nearly knocked out the Spurs in Game 5 before some late-game magic from San Antonio. Down by three with seconds remaining the Spurs put the ball in the hands of the unlikeliest of players, little-known Gary Neal. It turned out to be a brilliant move as Neal buried the game-tying three to send the game to overtime.
In the extra frame Tony Parker stepped up, scoring six of his 24 points and the Spurs came away with a 110-103 win as 7-point favorites. Manu Ginobili led the Spurs in the win with 33 points, while Tim Duncan also had a solid game with 13 points and 12 rebounds.
For the Grizzlies Zach Randolph continued to be a rock with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists. Mike Conley chipped in with 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists, and Marc Gasol was dominant on the glass with 11 points and 17 rebounds.
For Game 6 the series returns to Memphis, and the Grizzlies are a 3-point favorite at Sportsbook. Memphis is 2-0 SU and ATS at home in the series so far, and overall they've won their last four at home versus San Antonio while also going 4-0 ATS. If the Spurs can stave off elimination again Game 7 will be played Sunday in San Antonio.
Sunday also marks the start of the second round with a monumental matchup in the Eastern Conference between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat.
The Celtics and Heat went to war against one another four times during the regular season with Boston winning three times. However, the last time they met up on April 10 it was all Miami. The Heat dominated that game and routed Boston 100-77 as a 6-point home favorite. LeBron James led the Heat with 27 points, while Dwyane Wade added 14 points and eight assists, and Chris Bosh had 13 points and eight rebounds.
Paul Pierce led Boston with 24 points and Kevin Garnett had 21 points, but it was a disappointing effort from Rajon Rondo that stood out, as he was limited to seven points and five assists.
The Celtics may have been 3-1 versus the Heat this season, but that big win by the Heat in their last matchup appears to be swaying the oddsmakers. In the series the Heat are a -175 favorite at Sportsbook on the NBA futures, while the Celtics are a +145 underdog.
The real difference-maker in the series could be the fact that Miami holds home-court advantage. Miami has only beaten Boston three times in their last 15 matchups but all three wins have come at home. At Boston the Heat have lost 10 straight while going 3-7 ATS. And despite winning two games in New York in the Sportsbook round the Celtics have had a hard time on the road recently with a 3-5 record both SU and ATS in their last eight away from home.
Game 1 tips off in Miami on Sunday afternoon. The Heat are a 5-point favorite at Sportsbook while the total was set at 182.5.
