The Golden State Warriors will take on the Memphis Grizzlies to wrap up the play-in tournament. The winner receives the eighth seed and will face the Utah Jazz in the NBA Playoffs. This is a fantastic matchup where neither team really has a defining edge. The Warriors have more experience, but the Grizzlies have the youth and hunger to pull the upset.
Ja Morant is one of the best young players in the league right now, but he'll have his hands full guarding Stephen Curry. The Warriors superstar point guard has been on a tear this season, carrying the team on his back and potentially taking them to the postseason.
Look for Steve Kerr to find the mismatches to give his team the advantage in this matchup, which is much easier said than done. Even so, the Warriors are the slight favorite, and for good reason. Here are 3 reasons why the Warriors will beat the Grizzlies in the play-in game.
Stephen Curry's hot hand
Curry has been lights out throughout this season. In fact, one could argue he is deserving of the MVP award. Averaging 32.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game this season, Curry is undoubtedly the best player in Golden State. He's seemingly unguardable and will be taking on a rising star.
Curry's experience and prowess give him the ultimate advantage. The offense runs through him as he's the main reason the Warriors are even in the position they're in right now. Look for Steph to take control of this game and lead Golden State into the playoffs.
Draymond Green's defense
Green is one of the most fierce competitors in the league right now. He has that old-school mentality that would have allowed him to thrive in the NBA during the 80s and 90s. He's the ultimate utility player and serves as the defensive anchor for the Warriors.
Green did a great job guarding Anthony Davis during their game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Nobody on Memphis is nearly as good as a player as Davis is. For that reason, Draymond Green's defense will be on full display, as he has the ability to guard all five positions. Kerr will likely have Green all over the place, guarding both Jonas Valanciunas and Jaren Jackson Jr.
Playoff experience
The Warriors lineup might be depleted in comparison to their championship roster in 2018. However, between Kerr, Curry, and Green, Golden State has plenty of experience dealing with pressure. This will give the Warriors a competitive advantage in this matchup, as Memphis is an incredibly young team.
Look for Steve Kerr to draw up plays to put the Grizzlies' young core into unfavorable situations. We'll bound to see Curry running around and tiring out Ja Morant, Green setting strong picks, and Wiggins taking advantage of Dillon Brooks' lack of defense.
Even though Curry and Green have the experience needed to win this game, this will still be a tough game. These teams are rather even and this one could come down to the wire. However, with Curry's scoring ability, Green's defensive presence, and the team's past playoff experience, the Golden State Warriors should receive a W in the win column on Friday night in the NBA play-in game.
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