First impressions are everything. Both the Memphis Grizzlies and the Golden State Warriors have their sights set on the playoffs, at a minimum. They’ve each won two of their first three games and have to be feeling good about their starts. Now these two Western Conference rivals will test their mettle head-to-head.
The Warriors are 8.5-point home favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook. They’re priced at -340 on the moneyline, while the Grizzlies are +270 road underdogs. The total for this game is set at 239.5 points. Let’s get into my preview, prediction, and pick for this Grizzlies vs. Warriors game.
Grizzlies vs. Warriors prediction, preview
Memphis doesn’t have any impressive wins on the slate so far, but considering their injury report, they’ll take all they can get. Zach Edey, Scotty Pippen Jr., Ty Jerome, Brandon Clarke, and Vince Williams Jr. have yet to appear this season. Missing a starter and four rotation players is a difficult obstacle to overcome. And yet, they’ve persisted behind the excellent play of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. It helps that rookie Cedric Coward is bursting onto the scene.
The Warriors are off to a strong start as well, dispatching the Luka-led Lakers before a thrilling win over the Denver Nuggets in overtime. But their flaws were on display against the Trail Blazers this weekend. On the second night of a back-to-back, the elderly Warriors got out-run and out-rebounded by a younger, hungrier Blazers team. Throw in a great shooting night for Portland, and it was a romp.
Memphis has its flaws, first and foremost being injuries. Golden State is the big favorite for a reason, but will they get out-hustled by another young team?
Grizzlies vs. Warriors pick, best bet
This Warriors team should pull out the win. But they tend to play down to their competition’s level. Sloppy transition defense and ugly turnovers will keep Memphis in this potentially high-scoring game and take it down to the wire.
