NBA Playoffs 2012 Predictions: Safe Bets to Make on Monday Night Games

The 2012 NBA playoffs have been excellent so far. That trend should continue tonight, with two Game 4s to be played.

Utah is trying to stave off elimination in their home arena at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs, while the Memphis Grizzlies are trying to even up their series against the Los Angeles Clippers tonight.

Gamblers who are looking to get in on the action have quite a few possible plays to make tonight. There are a number of smart bets that could potentially make big money.

Let’s take a look at some for each matchup.

Memphis Grizzlies +115 Moneyline over Los Angeles Clippers

Memphis has been the better team this series. The Grizzlies could easily be up 3-0 going into tonight’s contest, but they have stupidly blown leads and collapsed in their two losses. Overall, though, they have been playing at a high level.

That will be rewarded tonight with a road victory over the rival Clips at the Staples Center. This will be a close game, but the Grizz will prevail and take this series back to Tennessee tied up at 2-2.

San Antonio Spurs -8 over Utah Jazz

San Antonio is 12-0-1 against the spread in their past 13 games. That is simply incredible. And this team is not slowing down against a Utah team that is just happy to be here.

It was a surprise the Jazz even made the playoffs, so it’s not going to be a surprise when they are swept.

The Spurs simply have too much to lose by not closing this series out tonight and getting an extended rest going into the second round. They are a veteran team that will play hard for all 48 minutes to wrap things up.

Spurs/Jazz Under 199.5

All three games in this series have gone under so far, and it’s likely that the fourth and (likely) final one will as well.

San Antonio is holding Utah to a low shooting percentage and playing airtight defense all game long. There is no indication that they will give up on those strategies tonight, and it should once again go under the total.