The 2022 NBA Playoffs conference semifinals tip off Sunday, May 1, so we bring you the best Warriors vs. Grizzlies betting pick and odds, as No. 2 Memphis hosts No. 3 Golden State for Game 1 at FedExForum. 

According to MyBookie Sportsbook, the Warriors are slight 2-point favorites with a total of 220.5 points. The Grizzlies beat the Dubs in their four-game regular-season series, 3-1, and finished above them in the Western Conference. Memphis trounced Golden State 123-95 at home the last time they met, but the Warriors were without Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green.   

The Warriors satisfied the odds in the first round          

The Golden State Warriors (57-30; 44-39-4 ATS) eliminated the Denver Nuggets in five games in the previous round. After suffering a 126-121 defeat in Game 4 on the road, the Dubs clinched their second-round berth with a 102-98 home victory this past Wednesday. 

Steph Curry returned to the starting lineup in Game 5 against the Nuggets and led the way with 30 points, five rebounds, and five assists. He was coming off the bench in each of the previous four contests of the series, averaging 27.5 points and 5.5 dimes a night. 

Jordan Poole had only eight points on Wednesday. The 22-year-old guard has tortured the Nuggets through the first three games of their first-round series, averaging 28.7 points on 66.7% shooting from the field per contest. The Warriors have recorded a plus-8.0 net rating, outscoring the Nuggets 121.9-113.9 per 100 possessions. 

The Grizzlies saw off the T-Wolves’ challenge                 

The Memphis Grizzlies (60-28; 55-32-1 ATS) needed six games to eliminate the resilient Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. They overcame a double-digit second-half deficit in Game 6 this past Friday, dropping 40 fourth-quarter points on Minnesota. 

Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks accounted for 23 points each in that huge road victory over the T-Wolves. Ja Morant had 17 points and 11 assists, making only four of his 14 attempts from the field, while Jaren Jackson Jr. posted an 18-point, 14-rebound double-double. 

Brandon Clarke has led the way for the Grizzlies’ second unit. After posting a double-double of 21 points and 15 rebounds in Game 5, the 6-foot-8 power forward amassed 17 points, 11 boards, five assists, and three blocks in Game 6. The Grizzlies outscored the Timberwolves 111.7-105.8 per 100 possessions.  

Trends:

Golden State:

  • 8-3 ATS in the last 11 games overall 

Memphis:

  • 3-7 ATS in the last ten playoff games  

Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies Pick 

The Warriors were tied with the Celtics for the best defensive rating in the NBA this past regular season. They were yielding only 106.9 points per 100 possessions. The Grizzlies ranked fourth in the league, surrendering 109.0 points per 100 possessions. Hereof, I’m expecting a tight battle for all 48 minutes, and the Warriors’ experience could be a decisive factor in the crunch time. 

This is the seventh semifinal appearance in ten years for The Splash Brothers. On the other side, Ja Morant and the Grizzlies are here for the first time. They certainly have enough weapons to compete with the Dubs, so get ready for an exciting opener. 

Pick: Take Golden State Warriors -2.0 at -110    

The Total:

The under is 8-2-1 in the last 11 encounters between Golden State and Memphis. Both teams love to play aggressive defense, so I would ride the H2H betting trend. They also defend the 3-point line very well, though neither side prefers to play at a slow pace. 

The Grizzlies were tallying 100.3 possessions per 48 minutes last regular season. They’ve averaged 102.9 in the first-round series against the Timberwolves. On the other side, the Warriors were tallying 96.7 possessions per 48 minutes against the Nuggets. 

Pick: Go under 220.5 points at -110