Pau Gasol was traded in 2008 by the Grizzlies to the Lakers for a package that included the draft rights to his brother, Marc Gasol. Tonight, the brothers go head-to-head as two of the best big men in the league.
Marc Gasol and the Grizzlies head to Chicago to face a Bulls team struggling with multiple injuries (8 p.m. ET, NBA-TV). Can Pau do enough to stay competitive without Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson and Derrick Rose in the lineup?
Line: Grizzlies -4, Total: 185.5 (check The Linemakers on Sporting News’ odds page for current NBA point spreads and totals)
AccuScore has the Bulls as 54 percent favorites to win Monday night, a forecast that translates into money-line odds of about -117. Chicago is offered as the underdog at a price of +165 at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook. When AccuScore’s prediction makes a team a favorite that Las Vegas has as the underdog, it's worth a wager on the money-line.
The average score after AccuScore ran its 10,000-plus simulations is 94.6-94.1, and there’s a 55 percent chance the total combined score goes OVER 185.5. Keep in mind, however, that the total has stayed UNDER in six of Memphis's last eight games on the road, and in four of Chicago's last six games at home. So our better bet is on the side:
AccuScore Best Bet: There's a 62 percent chance the Bulls cover a +4 spread, a four-star (out of four) AccuScore hot trend. In the past week, in picks against the spread in inter-conference NBA games, AccuScore is 14-6 (70 percent +740 units).
Supporting trend: Memphis is 1-6 ATS in its last seven games.
AccuScore Box Score: Keep an eye on how well the Bulls are taking care of the ball. In simulations, Chicago averages about three more turnovers and three fewer steals than does Memphis. Sloppy play – especially early on – can nullify home- court advantage.
Chicago is No. 12 in the NBA in turnovers per offensive play, compared to Memphis at No. 6.
Projected Leaders
Zach Randolph: 14 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 TOs
Pau Gasol: 19 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, 3 TOs
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