Home court advantage has slipped out of the Memphis Grizzlies’ hands as they fell 117-116 to the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of their Western Conference second-round playoff series. Memphis had their chances of stealing the series opener even as +2.5 underdogs, but a Ja Morant game-winner was denied as the Warriors took a 1-0 lead.
Golden State can do some real demoralizing if they are able to take Tuesday’s Game 2. On the same token, all is not lost for the Grizzlies if they can tie up the series 1-1 as the teams head back to the Bay. There is a lot of the series left, but you have to think this is still a must-win situation for Memphis, and yet they are +2 point underdogs at home.
Warriors Not Satisfied
Golden State has taken home-court advantage with Sunday’s victory, and most people would consider them the favorites in this series even though they are the #3 seed against #2 Memphis. What has to be more of a momentum boost for the Warriors is that they were able to take the series opener a) in hostile territory, b) with Draymond Green being ejected right before halftime, and c) with Stephen Curry scoring just 24 points.
It’s not like Curry had a bad Game 1. He hit some crucial shots down the stretch and showed up huge on defense – but Golden State is better when everybody contributes. The Warriors are up 1-0 in this series even though Klay Thompson had just 15 points in Game 1, a big testament to Jordan Poole delivering big time with 31 on 12-20 shooting.
Is Memphis a Mirage
Make no mistake, the Grizzlies punched back to nearly every Golden State attack on Sunday, but it wasn’t enough as they fell into an 0-1 series hole and have lost home court. Can #2 seed Memphis really sustain this type of action even after they’ve had to come back from three second-half deficits just to get past the Timberwolves in the first round of this year’s playoffs?
Golden State had slow nights from Curry and Thompson, and Green didn’t make it to halftime – and they still won the opener. On the flip side, the Grizzlies got 34 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds from Ja Morant on Sunday, as well as another 33 points and 10 rebounds from Jaren Jackson, Jr., and they still lost. It makes you wonder what more Memphis can do to try and get the win on Tuesday?
Warriors vs. Grizzlies Pick and Prediction
Memphis was able to cover the +2.5 number on Sunday even though they faltered at times in the opening round against Minnesota, and most of the public betting was on Golden State. It wouldn’t be horrible to take Memphis in this spot to get the outright win and tie this series up 1-1, but the Warriors also took Game 1 on what many would consider an off outing. Green got the early boot while Curry and Thompson were solid – but not great. It’s hard to bank on that championship trio being down for a second straight game, so take Golden State -2.5.
