Stephen Nover Free Monday Play
(NBA) Sacramento vs. Memphis,
Point Spread: -8.50 | -105.00 Memphis (Home)
Result: Win
The record shows the Grizzlies to be on a three-game losing streak with all the defeats being blowouts. On closer inspection, though, those losses have come to maybe the three hottest and best teams in the NBA right now - the Warriors, Cavaliers and Spurs.




Now the Grizzlies go from upper elite to bottom echelon meeting lottery-bound Sacramento, which has managed to cover only 25 percent of its last 24 road games.




Memphis has one of the best home marks in the NBA at 27-9. The Kings have failed to cover the last eight times they've been on the road facing a home club with a winning percentage better than .600.




The Grizzlies won't play again until Friday when they host Oklahoma City. This should result in an all-out stop-the-pain game against the lowly Kings, who have even talked about resting DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay, which would be an unexpected bonus if it were to happen here.




Memphis has owned the Kings at home winning the past nine times. Sacramento, however, beat the Grizzlies at home on Feb. 25 in a heated contest. This should provide added incentive for Memphis.




Cousins is a legitimate star and Gay is thriving under George Karl. But Sacramento has a terrible backcourt and a weak bench. Both of those shortcomings were on fully display in its last game, a 102-88 loss to the Pelicans this past Friday.




I would like the Grizzlies even more in this spot if it were for sure that underrated Tony Allen, a defensive whiz, was going to play. He's questionable with a hamstring injury.

(Editor's note: Long-time pro Stephen Nover is having another banner NBA season cashing 60 percent of his last 62 NBA plays and has his March Total of the Month going today.)