Point spreads and totals are current as of Sunday morning. Check our odds page for updated Las Vegas lines.
No. 4 Portland Trail Blazers at No. 5 Memphis Grizzlies (8 p.m. ET, TNT)Game 1 spread, total: Memphis -5.5, 189.5 Opening series odds: Grizzlies -175, Trail Blazers +155
Portland (51-31 SU, 40-41-1 ATS) is the No. 4 seed by virtue of winning the Northwest Division, but opens on the road due to a worse record than Memphis. That’s a huge deal in this series as the Trail Blazers are a completely different team away (19-22 SU, 18-23 ATS) than at home (32-9 SU, 22-18-1 ATS).
Memphis (55-27 SU, 40-40-2 ATS) lost out on the Southwest Division title by finishing 5-6 SU down the stretch. Injuries are a key factor in Game 1 with Mike Conley (foot) listed as questionable and Tony Allen (hamstring) out. The Grizzlies have owned the Trail Blazers this year at 4-0 SU and ATS.
The Linemakers’ lean: Memphis went 4-0 and covered every game against Portland this season. We liked the Grizzlies when the spread was lighter, but with early action on the favorite pushing the line north (it was available at -3.5 when opening numbers were posted), the value has pretty much vanished. We will ride Memphis’ trend of 23-4 to the UNDER in their last 27 home games.
No. 6 San Antonio Spurs at No. 3 L.A. Clippers (10:30 p.m. ET, TNT)Game 1 spread, total: Clippers -1, 205.5 Opening series odds: Spurs -170, Clippers +150
San Antonio (55-27 SU, 41-39-2 ATS) had its 11-game winning streak snapped at New Orleans in its regular-season finale, blowing the chance at the No. 2 seed. The Spurs now have to open at this tough Clippers squad and will look to end a three-game ATS losing streak after going 12-1 ATS in their previous 13.
The Clippers (56-26 SU, 38-44 ATS) are the series dog despite being the higher seed. They finished the regular season at 14-1 SU (9-6 ATS), with the run starting right after Blake Griffin returned from injury. Team defense has been spotty this year (100.1 PPG, ranked 16th), although allowing just 93.3 PPG over the last six (the UNDER 5-1).
The Linemakers’ lean: Kenny White and Micah Roberts have a difference of opinion here. Kenny still believes the Clippers are the most talented team in the West, and says they should be about a 5-point favorite at home against the Spurs. Kenny also recommends a bet on L.A. at plus-money to win the series. Micah, though, says the playoff-worthy Spurs are the play as a short dog in Game 1. Kenny also offers a slight lean to the OVER.
NBA betting info: Series odds| Power ratings| ATS standings
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