2011 NBA Playoffs – Grizzlies vs Spurs Series Odds, Predictions, Free Picks and Preview

2011 NBA Western Conference Playoffs – Memphis Grizzlies vs San Antonio Spurs Series Odds, Predictions, Free Picks and Preview: This opening round series is a classic battle of youth versus experience. San Antonio is a veteran club led by Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, while the Memphis roster is filled with young players. Having an older roster didn’t stop the Spurs from compiling the West’s best record during the regular season, but the Grizzlies did manage to split the season series 2-2 with the conference’s top team. This is a No. 1 vs. No. 8 matchup, but it won’t be a walk in the park for the Spurs. The Spurs have been installed as a -380 favorite(odds at SBG Global Sportsbook) to win the series.

The 2011 season has been full of surprises for the Spurs. With a roster that was supposed to be over the hill, San Antonio got off to a hot start and had stranglehold on the Western Conference for most of the year. Then came the first six-game losing streak of the Duncan era, and it appeared the Los Angeles Lakers would grab the top seed. However, San Antonio avoided a complete collapse and went on a winning streak to end the year and secure the No. 1 seed.

Memphis established itself as an athletic force to be reckoned with early in the season, but the starting lineup was always a revolving door. O.J. Mayo fell out of favor, and Mike Conley Jr. suddenly became a legitimate point guard. Rudy Gay was on the path to becoming a star when he was lost for the season with an injury. Instead of falling apart, Tony Allen stepped into the lineup and became a defensive stalwart. Along the way, steady production from Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol down low made sure Memphis made it to the postseason.

The Spurs were no doubt the better team during the course of the season, but the Grizzlies have the speed and athleticism to give an older team like San Antonio fits. Allen will be able to hold his own against Ginobili, and Duncan isn’t going to be able to take over the game with Randolph and Gasol in the paint. San Antonio will have an edge at the point guard spot. Tony Parker is one of the most efficient scoring guards in the NBA, and as improved as Conley Jr. has been, he isn’t going to be able to stop Parker from getting into the lane and causing havoc.

Tempo is going to play a major role in the outcome of the series. The Spurs will want to make it a half court game and get to the free throw line on a regular basis, while Memphis will want to make it a high-scoring affair. With the Grizzlies wanting to get out and run, the Spurs will have to take high percentage shots. Quick shots will lead to an up-and-down game, and that will play the strength of the Grizzlies.

Make no mistake about it. The Grizzlies are a tough matchup for the Spurs. In fact, Memphis benched several starters during the final few games in order to lose a few games and face the Spurs instead of the Lakers. However, San Antonio is a playoff-tested team that understands what it needs to do to win in the playoffs. Memphis may be younger and faster, but the Spurs are smarter. The Grizzlies have the talent to push San Antonio to the breaking point, but Duncan and Parker won’t go down this round. Check the vegas NBA betting odds for Grizzlies-Spurs Game 1 below.

Prediction: San Antonio Spurs win in 7 Games

NBA Playoffs Series Odds
San Antonio Spurs vs Memphis Grizzlies
San Antonio Spurs -380
Memphis Grizzlies +300