NBA Regular Season - Memphis Grizzlies vs. San Antonio Spurs (Saturday Midday AEDT)
The Grizzlies have fallen apart in recent weeks, culminating in head coach David Fizdale being fired this week, and they are $2.45 outsiders when they welcome the San Antonio Spurs ($1.55) to the FedEx Forum.
They made a positive 5-1 start -- including a home win over the Golden State Warriors and two victories against the Houston Rockets - but Fizdale paid the price after eighth-straight losses, culminating in the 98-88 home defeat to the lowly Brooklyn Nets on Monday. The change of coach -- J.B. Bickerstaff has the role in an interim capacity -- didn't amount to a change of fortunes with Memphis losing 104-95 away to the Spurs on Thursday.
The Grizzlies' struggles can be attributed to their poor offence, the third-worst in the NBA with an average of 98.6 points per game. They have posted 100 or more points only twice in their nine-game losing streak, while they allow just over 101 points per game - the sixth-worst in the league.
The Spurs, meanwhile, look primed to reach the playoffs for the 21st straight season despite superstar Kawhi Leonard being unavailable all season due to a quadriceps injury and all-star Tony Parker looking now to play just his third game.
San Antonio have won three straight, and five of their past six, and their win over Memphis on Thursday was their 10th consecutive triumph against teams that currently have a negative win-loss record. LaMarcus Aldridge was dominant with 41 points and six rebounds, and he will pose headaches for the Grizzlies once again. In the absence of Leonard and Parker, Aldridge has stepped up to average 23.1 points per game -- far better than his output in 2015/2016 (18 points per game) and 2016/2017 (17.3 per outing).
It's difficult to see the Grizzlies turning the tables after their loss on Thursday: The Spurs are only 4-5 on the road, but four of those defeats were against teams with winning records, while Memphis have lost their past seven home games -- four against sides with a losing record.
Tip: San Antonio to defeat Memphis at $1.55
NBA Regular Season - Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (Saturday Midday AEDT)
These teams face each other for the third time this season, and Oklahoma City Thunder are $1.48 favourites against the Timberwolves ($2.65) at Chesapeake Energy Arena despite having lost both contests.
This time last week Oklahoma City were basking from their best win of the season -- a 108-91 home thrashing of Golden State Warriors - but they have since lost three consecutive games - 99-98 at home to Detroit, 97-81 away to Dallas and 121-108 away to Orlando - and have fallen to an 8-12 record.
Oklahoma City are holding opponents to an average of 99.3 points per game - the fourth-best record in the NBA - but they are scoring only 102.3 points per game, which is in the bottom third. This low scoring output is a surprise considering the off-season acquisitions of Paul George and Carmelo Anthony, and the latter's points per game average (19.7) lower than his career average (24.7).
Minnesota have alternated wins and losses in their past five games, with their most recent outing producing a 120-102 victory away to New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday. The Timberwolves have also been adjusting to new players, but their key signing, Jimmy Butler, is performing well. Butler is averaging 17.5 points per game, almost two points better than his entire career; his assists (4.5) and rebounds (5.5) per game numbers this season are also higher than his career average.
Karl-Anthony Towns dominated both previous games between the teams this season, with points tallies of 27 and 33, and Oklahoma City don't have a great defensive match-up for him. The Timberwolves appear value as an underdog considering they have beaten OKC twice already and given the Thunder's inconsistent play this season.
Tip: Minnesota to upset Oklahoma City at $2.65
