Trailblazers to win series +185 (this is the price I got)
I think for the most part the rest of the series lines are pretty sharp.
I haven't been sold on the Grizzlies this season due to the glacial PACE they play at (26th in the league) and their overall struggle to score consistently and hit 3-pointers (20th in the league in eFG%, and probably lower than that over the last 2-3 months). Unfortunately, the roster construction of this team (having two ball-dominant low post scorers which clogs the lane, a lack of 3-point shooters, and a lack of players in the backcourt that can penetrate and create their own shot), forces Memphis to play at a slower, grinding pace. Their elite defense (when healthy) allows this team to get away with playing at such a slow, grinding pace during the regular season. However, in the playoffs, where most teams play at a much higher pace, they will struggle to adjust.
Plus, two of their key perimeter defenders (Conley and Allen) are hobbled with injuries, which further exacerbates their issues.
Despite missing their key 3 and D guy in Wes Matthews, he will not be needed as much in the series (Memphis lacks playmakers in the backcourt), and they have enough firepower (at least in this series) offensively (8th in the league in offensive efficiency and EFF FG%) to score enough to beat Memphis.
Robin Lopez is a key player in this series. Him and Aldridge provide enough size and defensive prowess to fend off Memphis "big 2" down low. This series will ultimately come down to the backcourt, where I will take Lillard, Batum, Afflalo, Mccollum, Blake over the hobbled Conley/Allen, Lee (who is actually pretty damn good), the corpse of Vince Carter, the inconsistent Jeff Green, and Beno Udrih and Calathes (both can be brutal over stretches)
I think for the most part the rest of the series lines are pretty sharp.
I haven't been sold on the Grizzlies this season due to the glacial PACE they play at (26th in the league) and their overall struggle to score consistently and hit 3-pointers (20th in the league in eFG%, and probably lower than that over the last 2-3 months). Unfortunately, the roster construction of this team (having two ball-dominant low post scorers which clogs the lane, a lack of 3-point shooters, and a lack of players in the backcourt that can penetrate and create their own shot), forces Memphis to play at a slower, grinding pace. Their elite defense (when healthy) allows this team to get away with playing at such a slow, grinding pace during the regular season. However, in the playoffs, where most teams play at a much higher pace, they will struggle to adjust.
Plus, two of their key perimeter defenders (Conley and Allen) are hobbled with injuries, which further exacerbates their issues.
Despite missing their key 3 and D guy in Wes Matthews, he will not be needed as much in the series (Memphis lacks playmakers in the backcourt), and they have enough firepower (at least in this series) offensively (8th in the league in offensive efficiency and EFF FG%) to score enough to beat Memphis.
Robin Lopez is a key player in this series. Him and Aldridge provide enough size and defensive prowess to fend off Memphis "big 2" down low. This series will ultimately come down to the backcourt, where I will take Lillard, Batum, Afflalo, Mccollum, Blake over the hobbled Conley/Allen, Lee (who is actually pretty damn good), the corpse of Vince Carter, the inconsistent Jeff Green, and Beno Udrih and Calathes (both can be brutal over stretches)
