NBA Tuesday best bets: Grizzlies to extend elite run vs. wounded Cavs
We swept the board with a perfect 3-0 record against the spread Monday, highlighted by the Grizzlies' outright win over the Nets as 7-point underdogs. Here are our best bets for a condensed Tuesday schedule:
Grizzlies @ Cavaliers (-3, 217.5), 7 p.m. ET
Forgive me if it seems like I'm repeating myself, but it's the result of the market continuing to overlook these Grizzlies. We backed them as underdogs Monday and will happily do it again in a spot that feels just as favorable.
Memphis' 14-point win over Brooklyn extended its recent run to 13-6 ATS, during which this group has posted the league's best net rating (plus-13). The Cavaliers rank second in that stretch (plus-11.2) but simply haven't looked the same since losing Ricky Rubio (knee) for the season, dropping three of their last four games outright after winning 11 of 14 before the injury.
The Grizzlies still have a number of players in health and safety protocols, including starter Dillon Brooks and sixth man De'Anthony Melton, but they've been without them for much of their recent run. It hasn't mattered. Both teams have been cash cows this year, but Memphis is hotter and playing closer to its peak.
Pick: Grizzlies +3
Kings @ Lakers (-7.5, 228.5), 10:30 p.m.
Speaking of teams that the market can't seem to get right, how about the Lakers? Following Sunday's narrow win over the Timberwolves (+7), Los Angeles has now posted a lousy 14-23-1 ATS record - including a woeful 9-18-1 ATS mark as favorites.
Oddsmakers continue to inflate the line when the Lakers are involved, even despite this team's lackadaisical play without star big man Anthony Davis (knee) or a respectable supporting cast. Case in point: Since Dec. 19, LeBron James ranks second in the NBA in scoring (34.8 points per game) alongside 10.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.9 steals, and 1.5 blocks. His team is 3-5 in those contests.
The Kings, meanwhile, are coming off an outright upset of the Heat (-4) that fittingly comes at the tail end of their COVID-19 outbreak. Center Richaun Holmes' absence hurts, but this group has enough talent to stick within the number here and even threaten an upset if L.A. is cold from the floor.
Pick: Kings +7.5
C Jackson Cowart is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on Twitter (@CJacksonCowart) or email him at cjackson.cowart@thescore.com.