The Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies meet Tuesday night at Chase Center in San Francisco. Tip-off is set for 10:00PM ET in this Western Conference Play-In Tournament game. The winner will grab the No. 7 seed and face the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs.
Both teams finished the regular season with 48 wins. Golden State earned the higher seed by having one fewer loss. The Warriors went 3-1 against the Grizzlies this season, but Memphis handed them a 51-point loss in December. The teams last played on April 1, with Golden State winning 134-125 behind 52 points from Stephen Curry.
Warriors Preview – Veterans Lead the Way
Golden State made a big move by adding Jimmy Butler at the trade deadline. The Warriors went 23-7 in games with Butler, but still fell short of a top-six seed. They now turn to their playoff-tested group of Curry, Butler, and Draymond Green for a deep run.
Curry finished the season averaging 24.5 points and 6.0 assists. He made 311 three-pointers, which led the NBA and marked his sixth season over 300. Butler averaged 17.9 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.5 rebounds since joining the team. Draymond Green continues to contribute across the board with 14 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds in the last game.
The Warriors rank fourth in scoring with 121.7 points per game. They are one of the best first-quarter teams in the league, averaging 31.1 points in the opening frame. Golden State’s offense thrives in transition, but their half-court defense and rebounding have been inconsistent. The team is fully healthy heading into this matchup.
Grizzlies Preview – New Coach, Same Fight
Memphis changed coaches with nine games left, replacing Taylor Jenkins with interim coach Tuomas Iisalo. After losing three straight, the Grizzlies closed the year by winning four of their last six. They enter the play-in as the No. 8 seed with a chance to earn a first-round shot at Houston.
Lamar Stevens had a career-high 31 points in the season finale win over Dallas. Marvin Bagley III added 25 points and 12 rebounds. Vince Williams Jr. and Cam Spencer continue to play solid backcourt minutes, combining for 35 points and 12 assists in the last outing.
Memphis is a top rebounding team, ranking second in total rebounds and third in offensive boards. The Grizzlies average 93.3 shot attempts per game, third in the league, and they generate extra possessions by crashing the glass. They’ve hit the over in 45 of 82 games this year. Their injury list is long, but several players are day-to-day and could return Tuesday night.
Betting Prediction
Golden State is favored by 6.5 points, and the total is set at 229.5. The Warriors are 24-17 at home, while the Grizzlies are 22-19 on the road. Golden State has more playoff experience and a healthier roster coming into this one.
Memphis will need to dominate the boards to keep up, but their health concerns are a problem. Golden State won three of four meetings and covered in each win. With Curry and Butler playing well, the Warriors should control this game. A projected final score of 122-110 leans to Golden State covering and the over hitting.
Pick: Golden State Warriors -6.5
