PICK 'N' ROLL
Tuesday's Best NBA Bets
Oklahoma City Thunder at Memphis Grizzlies (3.5, 193)
Oklahoma City pulled off its own brand of a three-peat Sunday night, becoming the first team in the NBA this season to win on three consecutive nights with a 108-96 victory over San Antonio.
The Thunder will try to make it four in a row Tuesday night when they visit the Memphis Grizzlies, who open a four-game homestand. Oklahoma City is first in the Western Conference.
“You were hoping that you could win them all,” Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks said. “Fortunately for us, we did.”
The Grizzlies probably can’t wait to get back home after falling to 1-4 on the road with a 90-82 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.
The Grizzlies are 2-2 straight up and against the spread since Zach Randolph went out with a partially torn ligament in his right knee on New Year’s Day, an injury expected to keep him out eight weeks.
That will prove to be a big loss in this one.
PICK: Oklahoma City
Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Lakers (-7.5, 188.5)
The Phoenix Suns and defense usually are not used in the same thought, but suddenly the Suns have become a defensive team. They are allowing just 91.5 points, which would set a franchise record.
The Suns also got back to .500 and will try to snap the Los Angeles Lakers’ six-game home winning streak Tuesday night at the Staples Center. The Suns scored a season-high total in a 109-93 victory over Milwaukee on Sunday. That victory gave Phoenix its 24th consecutive home win over the Bucks.
“We are making open shots,” Steve Nash said. “We are also getting a little better pace and tempo throughout the game, a little bit of cohesion.”
Even still the under has cashed in seven of the Suns' last nine and in seven of Los Angeles' last 10.
PICK: Under 188.5