The Wednesday NBA playoff card showcases three matchups, including two in the Western Conference. The lone Eastern Conference battle involves the Pacers and Magic heading back to Florida with the series tied at one game apiece. The late game in the West comes from Memphis, as the Grizzlies try to put the Game 1 meltdown behind them and even up their series with the Clippers. We'll start in the Lone Star State with San Antonio attempting to build a 2-0 lead over Utah.
Jazz at Spurs - 7:05 PM EST (TNT)
San Antonio is the hottest ATS team in the league right now by compiling a 10-0-1 ATS record the previous 11, while winning 11 consecutive games. The most recent triumph came in the series opener against Utah, as the Spurs rolled past the Jazz, 106-91. San Antonio cashed as 11 ˝-point favorites, improving to 10-1-1 ATS the last 11 opportunities as double-digit 'chalk.' The task is tall for Utah to even things up heading back to Salt Lake City after being held to 42% shooting in Game 1.
Utah's frontcourt duo of Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap carried the load by combining for 36 points on 16-for-30 shooting from the field. However, the Spurs limited Devin Harris to just seven points, while his counterpart in Tony Parker put up a game-high 28 points. The Spurs received solid contributions from two mid-season pickups as Stephen Jackson and Boris Diaw combined to pour in 23 points and rebounds.
San Antonio has eclipsed the 100-point mark in 17 of the last 20 games, but the 'under' in Game 1 was just the fifth in this span. Gregg Popovich's squad owned the best ATS record in the league, including a tremendous 14-2 SU and 12-3-1 ATS record as a home favorite off a home victory (two of the ATS losses came to Denver). Utah owned a pedestrian 3-10 SU and 6-7 ATS record as a road underdog coming off a loss, while posting an 0-3 SU/ATS mark as a double-digit 'dog.
Pacers at Magic - 7:35 PM EST (NBA TV)
Indiana rebounded from its Game 1 meltdown by making Orlando's outside game disappear in Monday's 93-78 rout to even the series at one apiece. The Magic scratched together just 34 points in the second half after holding a two-point edge at the half, while the Pacers put the game out of reach with a 30-13 third quarter blitz. The venue shifts to the Amway Center on Tuesday, where Indiana split a pair of meetings this season.
The first four meetings came with Dwight Howard in the Magic lineup, but the 'under' has cashed in each of the first two contests in this series. Indiana's offense struggled in Game 1 by shooting 34% from the floor and missing nine free throws. Things improved in Game 2 as the Pacers knocked down 43% of their attempts from the field, but Indiana's long-range game has much to be desired after going a putrid 2-for-20 from downtown.
The Magic finished the regular season at 9-6 SU and 7-8 ATS at home off a loss, but failed to cover in their last five opportunities in this situation. Indiana did not profit in the role of a road favorite off a victory, cashing in four of 11 chances, but the Pacers won seven times straight-up. Since 2009, the Magic are 3-6 ATS off a playoff loss, as four of those ATS defeats are at home.
Clippers at Grizzlies - 9:35 PM EST (TNT)
Los Angeles pulled off a historic playoff rally by overcoming a 27-point deficit in Sunday’s shocking upset at Memphis as 5 ˝-point underdogs. The Clippers lost Caron Butler to a hand injury in the win, but L.A. managed to knock down 50% of its shots from the floor. The Grizzlies hit 11 of 16 attempts from three-point range, but this meltdown snapped an 11-game winning streak at FedEx Forum.
Memphis will try to put Game 1 in the rear-view mirror, but the Grizzlies haven’t helped backers recently with a 1-9 ATS record the last 10 contests. The Clippers halted a four-game ATS skid with the series opening victory, while picking up their third win (and cover) against the Grizzlies in four tries this season. Blake Griffin continued to play well in this season series by scoring 17 points in Game 1, the fourth time the former top pick has scored at least 17 on Memphis.
The Clippers struggled as a road underdog off a win this season, compiling a 3-10 SU and 4-8-1 ATS ledger. Since the start of February, Memphis owns a 2-5 ATS mark at home off a loss, but the Grizzlies have won five of those seven contests straight-up.
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