Ala Hann Sport picks

It wasn’t a exactly the biggest water cooler topic in the offseason, but some small circles of NBA sports wagering experts felt that the Memphis Grizzlies might be on a similar route to the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Grizzlies have been one of the worst teams in basketball for a while (just as the Rays were) and they have collected a number of first-round picks (just as the Rays did). After a couple of years of playing together, internet sports betting sharps are starting to see the maturation process come to fruition.

The Grizzlies have a number of first round picks in their lineup, from point guard Mike Conley Jr., to O.J. Mayo, to Rudy Gay, and they also have added some key veterans in center Marc Gasol and power forward Zach Randolph.

The one move that really stood out was the signing of Allen Iverson, who has been known as a player who throws off the balance of chemistry in the lineup. The fact that the didn’t show up after a couple of weeks and requested his release was a blessing in disguise for the Grizzlies, even though many fans didn’t understand it right away.

The Grizzlies have a fairly complete roster, when you look at it. Conley Jr. has been playing fairly well as a point guard. In the month of December, Conley Jr. is averaging 13.4 points per game with a 5.1 assists per game, which is quality production.

Swingmen Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo, who struggled down the stretch last year playing together, have developed a chemistry together and have learned to play together instead of cutting the ball in half. Sports handicapping fans have seen the two average 38 points per game this year, which is again solid production.

But the main difference for the Grizzlies has been two-fold: the frontcourt and the depth.

The addition of Randolph hasn’t throw off the team chemistry and in fact, he’s been a fantastic contributor. The power forward position was a real weakness for the Grizzlies last year but this year, Randolph is providing a nightly double-double, including 22.9 points per game and 13.9 rebounds per game in December. That addition has taken the pressure off of Gasol and with rookies DeMarr Carroll and Hasheem Thabeet to come off the bench to contribute, the Grizzlies have been a good team.

People who bet the over for Grizzlies wins in December at 5Dimes (5Dimes Review) are looking good. After a 1-8 start, this team is 13-15. They have won six games this month and three straight, and are becoming a very respectable team. If they keep this growth up, don’t be surprised if they are in the neighborhood of the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference later this year.

49ers -12.5