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Due to the NBA Cup, several teams are resuming regular-season games after a relatively long layoff. Analyzing that is certainly part of the handicap.
The Grizzlies host the Jazz on Friday as 7.5-point favorites with a total of 238.5 points.
Both are fairly average overall against the spread (ATS), but a deeper dive paints a different picture. Memphis is 7-2 ATS in the favorite role, including 4-0 ATS without All-Star guard Ja Morant. They have learned to thrive without him and outperform the market.
Utah is pretty predictable. The Jazz are just 6-7 overall at home but 2-8 (3-7 ATS) on the road. Their overall record is inflated by catching teams on lengthy road trips and battling altitude.
I lean to the Grizz, but Zach Edey’s absence due to injury gives me major pause. Thus, I think a proposition bet makes more sense. Reserve guard Cam Spencer is starting to shine and play more comfortably in the offense. He has cashed the Over in his points prop in eight straight games.
Zach Edey’s injury is a big blow to the Grizzlies’ chances of covering on Friday night. NBAE via Getty Images
Betting on the NBA?
The UConn product is an effective shooter and is being more assertive and looking for his shot. He has hoisted at least four 3-pointers in nine straight games, which is great for a guy shooting 46.5 percent from downtown this season.
I have an 80-70-1 ATS record in this Post sports section, and my next play is Spencer over 11.5 points.Â
The Play: Cam Spencer Over 11.5 points (+105, DraftKings)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Doug Kezirian is a New York Post contributor who has over two decades of experience in the betting space, including spending 11 years at ESPN as a host, columnist and betting analyst. He’s also the rare personality who has documented success – 14th place in 2023 Circa Million and Las Vegas SuperContest ($37K), two top-10 finishes in 2022 William Hill College Football Challenge ($58K) and also grabbed headlines with a $297K win on the 2021 NFL Draft.