NBA Picks: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, Game 1

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 8-2-2 against the spread in their last 12 home games, which is important to consider when making your NBA playoff picks Saturday, as they prepare to take on the Memphis Grizzlies at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

Sports bettors will find that the Thunder are 6.5-point favorites in the pro basketball odds, with the betting total sitting at 191 in the market.

Let's take a closer look at Game 1 of this best-of-seven series in the Western Conference, while offering up a prediction along the way.

Gambling stats via SBR Forum 

Memphis Grizzlies

Joe Murphy/Getty Images

The Memphis Grizzlies are led on the offensive end by point guard Mike Conley and forward Zach Randolph. Both players averaged more than 17 points per game during the regular season.

NBA handicappers will find that the Grizzlies were 23-18 straight up and 19-20-2 against the spread when playing on the road.

Oklahoma City Thunder

USA TODAY Sports

The Oklahoma City Thunder went 34-7 at home during the regular season, including a 23-3 mark against conference rivals.

Over the past two-plus seasons, the Thunder are 8-2 straight up and 5-5 against the spread in the opening round of the playoffs. 

Prediction

I'm going to recommend that readers back the Oklahoma City Thunder as one of their NBA playoff picks, as the favorite is 3-0-1 against the spread in the last four meetings in this series.

Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder -6.5

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