Nicolas Batum's recent rebounding woes make betting the under on 4.5 boards a savvy choice for tonight's Clippers-Grizzlies matchup.
As the NBA regular season nears its conclusion, every game becomes more crucial for teams jostling for playoff positioning. The Los Angeles Clippers have found themselves in a tight race in the Western Conference, and with injuries and load management taking their toll, head coach Tyronn Lue has made some adjustments to his rotation. One such change is inserting veteran Nicolas Batum into the starting lineup at power forward. While Batum's recent performance against the Chicago Bulls saw him score a season-high 24 points and grab three rebounds, the numbers suggest that betting the under on Batum's rebound line of 4.5 for tonight's game against the Memphis Grizzlies is the sharp move.
Let's dive deep into Batum's rebounding stats this season. The French forward is averaging 3.89 rebounds per game overall, with 3.79 at home and 4.0 on the road. However, a glance at his game-by-game performance reveals that he's had more than 4.5 rebounds in just 29 games this season, while falling short of the mark in 43 contests. This alone should have you leaning towards the under, but the trends become even more convincing when examining Batum's recent rebounding output.
Over the last 20 games, Batum's rebounding average has dipped to a paltry 2.95 boards per game, with just three contests where he pulled down more than 4.5 rebounds. Narrowing the scope to the last 10 games, the downward trend continues, with Batum averaging only 2.2 rebounds per game and surpassing the 4.5 mark in just one contest. In fact, over the last five games, Batum's rebounding has hit rock bottom, averaging a meager 1.4 boards per game without a single game above the 4.5 threshold. It's clear that Batum's rebounding production has taken a nosedive in recent weeks, making the under even more appealing.
It's worth considering the Clippers' upcoming opponent, the Memphis Grizzlies, and their impact on Batum's rebounding prospects. The Grizzlies rank 7th in the league in total rebounds per game, and they have a stable of capable rebounders in Jaren Jackson Jr. and others. While Batum could potentially snag a few boards against this formidable frontcourt, it's difficult to envision him suddenly turning his rebounding woes around against such a strong rebounding team.
Furthermore, with Paul George sidelined due to a right knee sprain, the Clippers have a massive hole to fill on both ends of the floor. Batum, a versatile 34-year-old forward, will likely be asked to contribute in numerous ways to help make up for George's absence. However, it seems more probable that Batum will focus on his scoring and defensive capabilities rather than crashing the glass, given his recent performance and the Grizzlies' strength on the boards.
Pick #2 - Nicolas Batum u4.5 REB - available on Draftkings @ -145
Nicolas Batum's recent rebounding woes make betting the under on 4.5 boards a savvy choice for tonight's Clippers-Grizzlies matchup.
As the NBA regular season nears its conclusion, every game becomes more crucial for teams jostling for playoff positioning. The Los Angeles Clippers have found themselves in a tight race in the Western Conference, and with injuries and load management taking their toll, head coach Tyronn Lue has made some adjustments to his rotation. One such change is inserting veteran Nicolas Batum into the starting lineup at power forward. While Batum's recent performance against the Chicago Bulls saw him score a season-high 24 points and grab three rebounds, the numbers suggest that betting the under on Batum's rebound line of 4.5 for tonight's game against the Memphis Grizzlies is the sharp move.
Let's dive deep into Batum's rebounding stats this season. The French forward is averaging 3.89 rebounds per game overall, with 3.79 at home and 4.0 on the road. However, a glance at his game-by-game performance reveals that he's had more than 4.5 rebounds in just 29 games this season, while falling short of the mark in 43 contests. This alone should have you leaning towards the under, but the trends become even more convincing when examining Batum's recent rebounding output.
Over the last 20 games, Batum's rebounding average has dipped to a paltry 2.95 boards per game, with just three contests where he pulled down more than 4.5 rebounds. Narrowing the scope to the last 10 games, the downward trend continues, with Batum averaging only 2.2 rebounds per game and surpassing the 4.5 mark in just one contest. In fact, over the last five games, Batum's rebounding has hit rock bottom, averaging a meager 1.4 boards per game without a single game above the 4.5 threshold. It's clear that Batum's rebounding production has taken a nosedive in recent weeks, making the under even more appealing.
It's worth considering the Clippers' upcoming opponent, the Memphis Grizzlies, and their impact on Batum's rebounding prospects. The Grizzlies rank 7th in the league in total rebounds per game, and they have a stable of capable rebounders in Jaren Jackson Jr. and others. While Batum could potentially snag a few boards against this formidable frontcourt, it's difficult to envision him suddenly turning his rebounding woes around against such a strong rebounding team.
Furthermore, with Paul George sidelined due to a right knee sprain, the Clippers have a massive hole to fill on both ends of the floor. Batum, a versatile 34-year-old forward, will likely be asked to contribute in numerous ways to help make up for George's absence. However, it seems more probable that Batum will focus on his scoring and defensive capabilities rather than crashing the glass, given his recent performance and the Grizzlies' strength on the boards.
Pick #2 - Nicolas Batum u4.5 REB - available on Draftkings @ -145
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