The 2022-23 NBA season continues on Saturday, March 18, 2023, when the Golden State Warriors travel to take on the Memphis Grizzlies in this Western Conference affair at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee. No line or total was set at the time this preview was written.
These teams have squared off three times this season, with the home team winning all three contests. That includes a 131-110 victory for the Grizzlies on March 9. They were the underdogs at 2.5 points with the total set at 236.5.
Warriors Fall to Clippers in L.A.
The Golden State Warriors (36-34, 33-35-2 ATS) lost to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, 134-126. It was the fourth loss in the last six games. They are in Atlanta to take on the Hawks on Friday, but this preview was written prior to the conclusion of that contest. Heading into Friday night’s game, Golden State had lost nine straight games on the road and are 7-27 on the road overall.
“It’s nice to play and shoot well. It is what I expect to do every night,” Steph Curry said. “No matter what the stat sheet looks like after the game, it’s just frustrating when you can’t get over the hump and figure out a way to get a win.”
Golden State found themselves trailing by five at the end of first quarter, and continued to remain within striking distance of the Clippers. However, despite shooting 55.7% from the field, the team could not battle their way back. Los Angeles took eight more shots and had eight more free throws in the game. The Clippers were 26-32 from the free-throw line while Golden State was 11-15, which proved to be the difference. Curry had a huge day, scoring 50 points, hitting 20 of 28 shots. Curry is listed as questionable for this contest.
Golden State is second in points per game (118.3) and third in three-point shooting (38.5%). However, they are 25th in points allowed per game (117.7) and have struggled over their last five, allowing 126.0 points per contest. They have allowed at least 131 points in three of their last five games and the Warriors are allowing 124.1 points per game on the road this season.
Grizzlies Winning Streak Snapped in Miami
The Memphis Grizzlies (41-27, 32-35-1 ATS) saw their three-game winning streak come to an end when they lost to the Miami Heat on Wednesday, 138-119. The Grizzlies take on the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, but this preview was written prior to the conclusion of that contest. Memphis returns home where they have won seven straight and are 28-5 overall.
“Credit to the Heat,” Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said. “They played great tonight. They had an answer for everything we had. I thought our guys gave a great effort tonight. The Heat were just on a different level.”
Miami used a 10 point second-quarter advantage to pull off the 19-point victory. The Grizzlies shot well in the contest, hitting 50.5% of their shots, but the Heat hit 59.8% of their attempts, and were 27-33 from the free-throw line, hitting 18 more free throws than Memphis did. Jaren Jackson led the team with 25 points and nine rebounds.
Memphis is one of the best rebounding teams in the NBA, third overall at 47.0 per contest, and are averaging 48.1 rebounds per game at home. The Grizzlies are a great defensive team, fifth in points allowed per game (111.9) and first in opponent field-goal percentage (45.0%). At home, opponents are hitting just 43.5% of their attempts and are averaging 107.8 points per game.
Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies Pick
With both teams playing on Friday, no line or total was set for this contest, but expect Memphis to be favored by at least eight in this contest. They blew out Golden State the last time these teams met in Memphis, winning by 21 points as they hit 54.0% of their shots and recorded 10 more rebounds than the Warriors. That is a key to this contest, as Golden State simply cannot match up on the glass, especially with Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green out.
While both of these teams are in solid playoff position, Memphis has been spectacular at home while Golden State is struggling on the road. This is a clear victory for Memphis. Take them as long as they are favored by no more than 10.
Pick: Take the Memphis Grizzlies ()
The Total:
These teams have combined for at least 232 points in each of the three meetings this season, including 241 the last time they met in Memphis. Golden State has scored at least 123 points in four of their last five games, but have yielded at least 131 in three of their last five and are allowing 126.0 points per game over that stretch.
Memphis is not a great offensive team, but they have averaged 118.6 points per game at home and should have success against a Golden State team that simply cannot shut down opponents right now. Look for a total around 240 and go over as long as that number does not go above 243.5.
Pick: ()
