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Entering their penultimate game of the regular season tonight versus the New Orleans Pelicans (31-39), the Golden State Warriors (37-33) have already clinched a spot in the Western Conference play-in tournament and are in a position where a win/loss won’t affect the ultimate outcome of their postseason fate.
The Warriors are primed for a critical season-finale showdown with the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday where the winner will clinch the more favorable eight-seed in the tournament. Because of that, tonight’s matchup with the Pels is just a formality with Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Andrew Wiggins all most likely resting for Sunday’s showdown.
Meanwhile. New Orleans has already been eliminated from playoff contention and have absolutely nothing to play for in their final two regular season matchups this year. Zion Williamson has effectively been shut down for the year with a fractured left finger and both Lonzo Ball and Brandom Ingram have also been effectively put on ice due to various injuries as well.
Pelicans vs. Warriors, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Pick ATS: Warriors -1 (-109)
Yeah, it’s a heads or tails matchup with both teams placing MASH units on the floor for this one but I’d give the edge to Golden State here mainly due to the presence of Kent Bazemore and Jordan Poole. The two combined for 37 points in their 122-116 upset of Phoenix on Tuesday and will provide enough for the Warriors to pad the win column heading into Sunday’s critical showdown against Memphis.
Player Prop: N/A
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