NBA Playoffs Betting: Grizzlies Look To Take Back Control Of Series at Home

After stunning NBA pay per head fans by taking out the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs in the opening round, the Memphis Grizzlies continued their improbable postseason run by earning the crucial road split against the Oklahoma City Thunder through the first two games of the conference semi-finals. The Grizzlies will have the chance to take control of the series on their own terms at home in game three Saturday, with the key being the ability to handle the pressure with expectations building.

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Memphis Grizzlies
Saturday May 7, 2011 – 5:00 PM ET
FedEx Forum, Memphis, Tennessee
Online Sports Betting Odds: Thunder – 120

Up until their game one win over the Thunder, the Grizzlies had been huge underdogs in both series’, but after proving that they can compete with the best in the conference there will now be an increased amount of pressure on them to get the job done.

Their ability to perform with increased expectations will be a key factor in how this series plays out, a Cinderella story that continues Saturday.

NBA Betting Preview: Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder may have underestimated Memphis in a game one loss, but that wasn’t the case on Tuesday night as they came alive to even their series with a 111-102 win. While Kevin Durant once again led the team with 26 points, it was James Harden and the Oklahoma City bench that stole the show with a huge outburst to keep the team from falling into a two-game hole. James Harden led the reserves with 21 points and five assists, while Eric Maynor registered another 15 in relief of Russell Westbrook. Fresh legs will continue to play a huge role going forward in the series, and if they can continue to produce the Thunder should be able to keep this series even on the road and take back home court advantage to provide the entertainment for the hometown fans with no MLB betting to watch in the city.

NBA Betting Preview: Memphis Grizzlies

Mike Conley provided another solid effort in game two with 24 points, but his supporting cast just wasn’t as strong in game two. With the series shifting back to Memphis, Conley and company should regain some of that swagger that they had in their game one win. Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol will have to be a stronger force in the paint after going a combined 5-for-18 from the field in game two. The Grizzlies are at their best when they slow the game down and wear out Oklahoma City down low, and sticking to the game plan will be crucial in execution in the hours after the 2011 Kentucky derby betting race.

NBA Betting Matchup: Thunder vs. Grizzlies

The low expectations helped the Grizzlies get to this point, but now the pressure will be on with the series shifting back home and higher expectations. It won’t be easy against a Thunder team that is much quicker than the Spurs were in the previous round, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them struggle more than they have in the playoffs in their first home game of the series.

BSN Sports Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder - 120