Subscribe
Follow Us
The Memphis Grizzlies (31-16) visit the Golden State Warriors (23-24) on Wednesday night. Action tips off at 10:10 p.m. ET. Below we continue our NBA odds series with a Grizzlies-Warriors prediction, pick, and how to watch.
Memphis enters tonight having lost each of its last three games but remains in second place in the Western Conference. The Grizzlies covered 49% of their games while 51% went under the projected point total. Golden State most recently suffered a home loss to Brooklyn and sits in 10th place in the West. The Warriors covered 48% of their games while 60% went over. This will be the second of four meetings between the two teams. The Warriors took the first game in Golden State, 123-109.
Here are the Grizzlies-Warriors NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel
NBA Odds: Grizzlies-Warriors Odds
Memphis Grizzlies: +3.5 (-110)
Golden State Warriors: -3.5 (-110)
Over: 244.5 (-110)
Under: 244.5 (-110)
How To Watch Grizzlies vs. Warriors
TV: ESPN, Bally Southeast, NBCS Bay Area
Stream: ESPN+
Time: 10:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. PT
*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (click for a free trial)*
Why The Grizzlies Could Cover The Spread
Memphis finds itself on a three-game losing skid in the midst of a five-game road trip. After back-to-back double-digit losses to the Suns and Kings, the Grizzlies enter tonight as 3.5-point underdogs despite possessing the third-best record in the league. That being said, they have a great chance to cover tonight thanks to their all-around game. Memphis ranks sixth in scoring (117 PPG), 10th in defense (112.4 Opp. PPG), and first in rebounding (59.1 RPG). The Grizzlies dominate the interior as they not only lead the league in rebounding but also in points in the paint (59.3 PPG). Golden State's biggest weakness lies down low – setting the Grizzlies up for a big night tonight.
If Memphis' key to covering tonight lies down low, that starts with their big men. With starting center Steven Adams out, forward Jaren Jackson Jr. will likely take on a bigger role – especially on the glass. Jackson Jr. is one of the best defensive players in the league as he is currently the overwhelming favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year with -180 odds. JJJ is a menace down low, averaging a league-best 3.3 blocks per game while also managing a steal. In addition to his stellar defense, Jackson Jr. averages 16.2 PPG and 6.6 RPG. While those are solid numbers he will likely need to improve his work on the glass with Adams out. Memphis was notably out rebounded by 22 in their first game without Adams.
With their burley big man out for the foreseeable future, the Grizzlies could look to run more than they already do. Despite ranking second in fast break scoring (17.9 PPG), Memphis is capable of much more on the break thanks to superstar point guard Ja Morant. Morant was born to run the break as he's lightning-quick with the ball in his hands and has a knack for finding the open man. For the season, Morant averages 27.2 PPG and 7.9 APG – both team highs. He torched Golden State in their previous matchup, scoring 36 points and dishing out eight assists.
Why The Warriors Could Cover The Spread
Golden State hasn't gotten the Curry boost many expected them to upon Steph's return but the defending champs remain in an excellent position to cover as home favorites tonight. Despite their place on the Western Conference ladder, Golden State holds one of the best home records in the league at 17-6. That bodes especially well for them tonight considering the Grizzlies' struggles away from Memphis. The Warriors feature a potent offense that ranks third in scoring (117.6 PPG) and third in assists (29.2 APG). They are especially deadly from beyond the arc – ranking first in threes per game (16.4) and sixth in three-point percentage (38%). Memphis allows the ninth-most threes per game – setting Golden State up for another big night from beyond the arc.
The Warriors drained 18 threes in their previous win over Memphis and that was without the best shooter in the world. With Curry back, the Warriors should bombard the Grizzlies' defense with outside shots. Curry has been solid since returning from injury earlier this month, averaging 25.8 PPG. He's been deadly from the outside with 4.3 made threes per game but shot them at just a 36% clip. While he remains the best shooter in the league, Warriors' backers should be confident in their ability to cover even if Steph has another off night.
Both Jordan Poole and Klay Thompson have been lights-out since Curry returned to the lineup. Since his return, Poole averaged 24.6 PPG and 3.4 threes while shooting 41% from beyond the arc. Thompson has been nearly as impressive, averaging 21 PPG and 4.0 threes while shooting 43%.
Final Grizzlies-Warriors Prediction & Pick
Without their big man, I expect Memphis to struggle yet again in Golden State as the Warriors should be able to take advantage of their suspect perimeter defense.
Final Grizzlies-Warriors Prediction & Pick: Golden State Warriors -3.5 (-110)
