4* NBA ATS ABSOLUTE SMASH

Memphis vs. Portland, 01/24/2012 22:00 EDT, Score: 84 - 97

Point Spread: -5½/-105 Portland

Sportsbook: 5Dimes

Result: Win

The Portland Trail Blazers have stumbled to a 3-5 record over their last eight games, but all five of those losses came on a grueling 7-game road trip. The Trail Blazers returned home last night and beat up on the Kings 101-89. Portland is 7-1 straight up and 6-2 ATS at home this season. They are winning by an average of 11 points at home, and there is no way I'm passing up on the Trail Blazers at -5.5!

The Memphis Grizzlies pulled off a remarkable 20-point rally to stun the Warriors 91-90 last night. The Grizzlies have now won 7 straight overall. They had to use a lot of energy to score 39 points in the 4th quarter of that game, and I look for those tired legs to lead to a bad loss in the second game of a back-to-back set on the road. Memphis averages just 85 ppg on the road, while the Trail Blazers are putting up 104 ppg at home!

Added to all of that, Memphis is 0-5 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600, while Portland is 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a home favorite of 5.0-10.5. BET THE TRAIL BLAZERS -5.5!