The NBA Semis are in full flow and we have reached the concluding stages of the Second Round at this point. Most teams will be just one game away from going to the Final Round of the Conference stage. And in this game the Golden State Warriors, a team that is on the cusp of qualifying for the next round will visit the Memphis Grizzlies. The Warriors won the last game 101:98 in what was the lowest-scoring game of the series as Stephen Curry made a bunch of crunch-times free throws to seal the deal. Can the Grizzlies at least force a Game 6 in the series?
Bet on Memphis Grizzlies-Golden State Warriors
Best bets on Grizzlies vs Warriors
Hanidcap: Bookmakers from 22bet are clearly favoring the Warriors to win the match and make it to the Third Round. The reasoning is clear here, they have beaten the Grizzlies thrice in four games and they are also missing Ja Morant, who has led the scoring, playmaking, and rebounding effort. Sure, the Grizzlies are much more balanced when they play without Morant but in the Playoffs, things are different especially when your opponent has the quality of the Warriors. However, I feel they may turn things around at their home floor and force at least a Game 6. (To Win By (3 Way): Any Other Score- Win With Difference Less Than 6 for 2.90)
Player Props: Bookmakers at bet365 predict odds of 1.86 for Jordan Poole going Over 28.5 Points, Assists, and Rebounds Here(at least 29 in terms of Assists+Rebounds+Points Combined). He has collected 25, 33, 28, 48, and 13 in the last five games if we combine the statistics, so he has gone past the above-stated mark twice, coming close once. I believe he will have a strong scoring night here and go past that mark. (Player Props: Player Points. Assists, and Rebounds: Jordan Poole Over 28.5)
Total: Bookmakers at 1xbet give the Total of 218.5(Over/Under) the equal odds of 1.97 in a series where the scoring has been rather plentiful during two of the four encounters. The four games have fetched 199, 252, 207, and 233. It will be interesting to see how this game will pan out in absence of Morant. I believe the total will just be under here. (Total Under 218.5 for 1.97)
Where to Watch Grizzlies vs Warriors
This match is available on the NBA League Pass.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies did a great job on the defensive end in the last game, limiting the Warriors from 63% in Game 3 to 40% in Game 4. However, the team didn’t shoot well themselves, going for just 26% from the three-point line, which has been a problem throughout the Postseason. Without Morant, as he always does, Tyus Jones picked up the mantle and came up with a 19 points and 5 assists night. Bane continued to score below his usual average, attempting just 7 shots and getting 8 points. One huge issue has been that the influence of Brandon Clarke has been nothing compared to the last series while Jaren Jackson after a huge Game 1 has shot terribly from beyond the arc. Dillon Brooks has been shooting terribly in most games and this is not the Grizzlies that finished with the second-best record this season, they surely look inexperienced during many points.
Golden State Warriors
The experience of Golden State has surely come through in this series and there is no doubt that unlike the second half of the Regular Season when the team was unable to figure out a way, they have taken control of things, thanks to their ability to adjust and surely due to their experience. Andrew Wiggins has been a terrific presence as an all-around player and his activity level has been otherworldly. Klay Thompson has shot poorly, but that has not affected the team and even though Poole shot just 4/12 in the last game, he has become more than a scorer, coming up with 6 rebounds and 5 assists in the last game. Draymond Green is the bedrock on the defensive end while Otto Porter Jr. fits well in the small-ball lineup of the Warriors. Kevon Looney has made a lot of noise in limited minutes while Stephen Curry has been a huge factor on both ends. Seriously, the Warriors have shown their best during the Playoffs.
Grizzlies vs Warriors: possible lineups
- Grizzlies most likely starting five: PG: Ja Morant | SG: Desmond Bane | SF: Dillon Brooks | PF: Jaren Jackson Jr. | C: Xavier Tillman;
- Key Bench Player: Brandon Clarke, Kyle Anderson, Tyus Jones;
- Warriors most likely starting five: PG: Jordan Poole | SG: Klay Thompson | SF: Andrew Wiggins | PF: Draymond Green | C: Kevon Looney;
- Key Bench Players: Stephen Curry, Gary Payton II, Otto Porter Jr.
