Logic doubts the Oklahoma City Thunder will repeat their 51-point victory from Game 1 against the Memphis Grizzlies, but little faith should be put in Memphis, a 14.5-point underdog in Game 2.
There was a distinct rest disadvantage in Game 1. That is very true. Otherwise, every advantage Oklahoma City enjoyed should repeat tonight.
My Grizzlies vs. Thunder props and NBA picks focus on a familiar mismatch. Tip comes at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 22.
Best Grizzlies vs Thunder props
Edey u10.5 rebounds (+100 at bet365)
Holmgren o1.5 threes (-105 at bet365)- Scotty Pippen Jr. o1.5 threes (+140 at bet365)
Grizzlies vs Thunder player props for April 22
Zach Edey Under 10.5 rebounds (+100 at bet365)
Some will tell you Zach Edey played just 19 minutes in Game 1 because it was such a blowout. And it must be acknowledged, the NBA did the Memphis Grizzlies a disservice by giving them a noon tip barely 36 hours after clinching a playoff berth.
At 7-foot-4 and 300 pounds, Edey probably carried that fatigue more than more veteran Grizzlies did.
However, do you know who played seven minutes past Edey’s departure on Sunday? Ja Morant.
Jaren Jackson Jr. played until the third quarter’s end, 10 minutes past Edey finding the bench. Santi Aldama, Scotty Pippen Jr., and Marvin Bagley III were all involved until the end of the third quarter.
Only Edey was given up on with 10 minutes left in the third.
Edey cannot keep up with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and he is too young to have the instincts to make up for his physical deficiencies. Memphis simply can't play the rookie in this series and hope to compete, and his minutes should continue to plummet.
The easiest way to profit from Edey being on the bench is to fade his rebounding prop. He grabbed nine in Game 1, and if his minutes dip any further, Edey won’t come close to 10.5.
Chet Holmgren Over 1.5 threes (-105 at bet365)
Much of that doubt in Edey ties to faith in Chet Holmgren.
Holmgren battled injury through much of the season, but when finally healthy and in form for the last month of the regular season, his 3-point percentage peaked at 44.4%.
He dragged Edey out beyond the arc on Sunday, going 3-of-4 from deep in just 21 minutes. As Holmgren plays offense like a wing, Edey is dragged away from the hoop, where he is uncomfortable and less valuable. Even if Holmgren did not make his shots on Sunday, taking them provides the Thunder with offensive value.
Oklahoma City has no reason to go easy on Memphis. Holmgren putting up shots from long range will help spur the Thunder to a quick 2-0 lead.
Scotty Pippen Jr. Over 1.5 threes (+140 at bet365)
Scotty Pippen Jr. played 22 minutes on Sunday, going a woeful 1-of-9 from the field and committing five fouls. It was not exactly a banner showing.
And yet, the Grizzlies need to rely on Pippen. He may be their best defender in this series against an offense of long weapons.
At the least, someone has to join Desmond Bane in being a defensive plus on the perimeter to allow Jaren Jackson Jr. to thrive overall. That someone is Pippen.
His fouls limited his playing time, as did the blowout. Most likely, he will play around 30 minutes tonight.
The limited playing time did not keep Pippen from shooting, going 0-of-4 from deep. He just shot poorly, and that is not like him.
In the season’s final month, Pippene hit multiple 3-pointers in 11 of 15 games, humming at a 52.9% rate from beyond the arc. That is more like him.
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