January isn't just for Super Bowl odds, the NBA season is in full swing and games are becoming more predictable. This Wednesday, the Memphis Grizzlies head down to New Orleans to take on Chris Paul and the Hornets.
Memphis Grizzlies @ New Orleans Hornets
Bookmaker Odds (Bookmaker Reviews): Hornets -3.5
Sportsbook Odds For Total: 203.5
Let's take a look at the matchups:
PG: Chris Paul vs. Mike Conley Jr.
CP3 is the fastest quickest hand with the best vision in the game. His problem this year is the team around him. Paul is averaging 19.5 points, 11.2 assists and 4.5 Rebounds a game while averaging more than two and a quarter steals per contest. Conley is good and improving, but Paul is the best there is. Advantage: New Orleans
SG: Devin Brown vs O.J. Mayo
O.J. Mayo is extremely underrated. His defensive awareness can be better, but he is evolving into the star he has been heralded as since I saw him when he was 15 at ABCD basketball camp. Devin Brown isn't nearly as good.
Advantage: Grizzlies
SF: Peja Stojakovic vs. Rudy Gay
Peja is washed up. He's a sub 40% shooter from inside and outside the arc, is a liability defensively and doesn't get assists or rebounds. Rudy Gay has come into his own as an offensive player and is starting to show some top flight moves and seems ready to make the jump to being a star.
Advantage: Grizzlies
PF: David West vs. Zack Randolph
It's hard for me to believe that this is the same Zack Randolph I saw that couldn't dunk when he was on the Knicks. He is a mortal lock for comeback player of the year and is a 20-10 guy. David West is a former All-Star forward and is a great scorer. Both of these guys will put up big points in this game, unless Zack reverts back to Knicks form.
Advantage: Even
C: Emeka Okafor vs. Marc Gasol
This matchup is a good one. Okafor hasn't meshed well with Chris Paul since being deal for Tyson Chandler and has been hurting the team offensively. Gasol has been a revelation. He has lost a lot of weight; added post moves and now is a 15-10 guy. This matchup is offense vs. defense with Gasol being more in rhythm with his team.
Advantage: Grizzlies
Bench: Darren Collison, Marcus Thornton, James Posey, Darius Songalia vs. Hasheem Thabeet, Jamaal Tinsley, DeMarre Carroll, Sam Young, Steven Hunter
Collision is good but plays the same position as CP3. Posey is washed up, Songalia stinks and Thornton is a talented rookie. Thabeet is a project but can be a shot-blocking force if West goes to the paint too often. Sam Young and DeMarre Carroll have been steals in the 2nd round and Tinsley is a serviceable backup pg.
Advantage: Grizzlies
Online Betting Outlook & Pick
Memphis is a better team and is 20-10 since they let Iverson go. Take Memphis at +145 and the over.
Pick: Memphis 112, New Orleans 105
