Grizzles vs. Spurs Predictions: Spurs to cover the Spread

The NBA Play-In games continue later today and Zach Rainey takes a look at the Grizzles and Spurs match-up...

Beyond all odds, despite not having a big name, the San Antonio Spurs have and Greg Popovich have found their way to the playoffs.

This game between the Grizzlies and Spurs is merely the opening act before the big game of the night.

The Grizzlies had a hard-fought battle against the Golden State Warriors on the last day of the season with Stephen Curry sealing the scoring title.

But the Spurs are a hop and a skip away from being the Warriors. They don’t have nearly the scoring threats. DeMar DeRozan is the most high-profile player for the Spurs, surrounded by a lot of role players. Rudy Gay’s rejuvenation has been fun and makes you think what could’ve been in Toronto when the two were briefly teammates all those years ago, but that’s about it.

Ja Morant had a brief taste of the playoffs last year when they were in that version of the play-in tournament last year before falling short.

I think Morant wants a legit chance at the playoffs and with a win, could find himself in another matchup with the Warriors if the Warriors fall to the Lakers tonight.

Dillon Brooks has been playing well, and while Jaren Jackson Jr. I don’t believe is fully healthy after missing the entire season, I still think Memphis takes this one.

However, I think it will be a close contest. The San Antonio Spurs were the best team ATS on the road this season, covering nearly two-thirds of the time at 23-12-1. As the away underdog, they sit at 14-8-1 at 63.6 percent.

Memphis was just one game over the .500 mark ATS as the home favorite at 12-11 and 20-16 ATS as the favorite overall.

Like I mentioned in an earlier piece, DeRozan is essentially auditioning for his next job at this point. He’s shown great improvement in his playmaking ability while remaining a good scorer.

For this one, I’m taking the Spurs to cover the spread. You can’t discount one of the greatest coaches of all time in a must-win game.

For the prop of the game, I’m taking Kyle Anderson at under 12.5 points.

Anderson spent the first four years of his career with the Spurs and I think Pop knows the ins and outs of Anderson’s game. You can get the under at -110 at BetMGM, 888Sport, BetRivers and Unibet. The price is -111 at PointsBet.