The second round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs is well underway, and the Golden State Warriors have arguably the best matchup. Golden State and the Memphis Grizzlies are tied 1-1 in the Western Conference Semifinals after two games in Memphis.
The Warriors stole a one-point win to secure Game 1 on Sunday. However, Ja Morant and the Grizzlies evened out the series with a Game 2 win Tuesday night.
Game 3, set for Saturday night in San Francisco, is the most important, most pivotal game of the series. Not only does the location change, but the team that comes out on top will have a huge momentum advantage in the second half of the series.
Here are our three boldest predictions for the Warriors in Game 3 against the Grizzlies.
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Warriors 3 Bold Predictions for Game 3 vs. Grizzlies
3. Jordan Poole comes out to play
Jordan Poole didn't have his best outing in Game 2. He was only 1-6 from deep and gave up three turnovers. Not to mention, Ja Morant publicly embarrassed him with this ankle-breaking two-pointer.
This angle of Ja Morant breaking Jordan Poole’s ankles and scoring 😍
(via @BenGolliver) pic.twitter.com/7yJrJytN1l
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 4, 2022
Expect Poole to be on his game on Saturday and give Morant a run for his money. Poole will put up at least 25 points and three three-pointers in Game 3, challenging the other young star on the court.
2. Draymond Green is explosive
Game 2 in Memphis was extremely physical and even dirty at times. Gary Payton II left the contest just two minutes in after fracturing his elbow.
Not long after Payton's first-quarter exit, Draymond Green suffered a bloody facial injury. He missed the rest of the first quarter and was able to return in the second. However, his quick return didn't come without issue.
Green was clearly angry when entering the tunnel, throwing double-birds at Memphis fans for booing him amid his injury. The power forward also needed three stitches to patch up his battle wound, adding to his frustration.
He verbally expressed his anger following the 106-101 loss. ESPN reporter Kendra Andrews tweeted Green's postgame comments.
Draymond: "You gonna boo someone who was elbowed in the eye and face is running with blood, you should get flipped off. I'll take the fine. I'll do an appearance and make up the money. It felt really good to flip them off…if they are going to be that nasty, I will be nasty too" https://t.co/H7DStCjDTg
— Kendra Andrews (@kendra__andrews) May 4, 2022
With all of this in mind, expect Green to come up big on Saturday. He will put up a double-double and at least two steals in Game 3 with the fuel of revenge and the momentum of the home crowd.
1. Warriors come out on top
A lot is riding in favor of both teams. For Memphis, the team just had a remarkable Game 2 win Tuesday night and could feed off the negativity of the Golden State crowd. For the Warriors, they're hungry for a win after falling in Game 2, and now have the support of their fans through home court advantage.
Expect the team's desire to win and the electricity of the fans in San Francisco to catapult the Warriors to a win on Saturday. Finally, our boldest prediction yet: Warriors take the win 107-105.
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