The Golden State Warriors (58-13) are a win away from matching their franchise’s record. Tonight, Stephen Curry and the rest of the Dubs can tie it when they take on the gritty Memphis Grizzlies (50-22). The Grizzlies, meanwhile, look to get back on track after absorbing a beating at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. Read on for a full preview of this game. You can also click here for a detailed breakdown of Spurs vs. Mavs.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies Preview
Where: FedEx Forum, Memphis
When: Friday, March 27, 2015, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Golden State Warriors (-3.5) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (+3.5); total: 198.0 – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Golden State Warriors
Add a division title to the list of accomplishments by Golden State this season. The Warriors took advantage of the Portland Trail Blazers’ undermanned lineup on Tuesday, coming up with a 122-108 road victory to extend the team’s win streak to seven games. The Warriors make their second stop of a four-game road trip at Memphis, where they are 3-3 ATS in their last six trips.
[sc:NBA240banner ]Stephen Curry had a field day against Portland, leading all scorers with 33 points and adding 10 assists. He finished with just 19 points in the first meeting with Memphis, a 105-98 loss on December 16.
Klay Thompson, meanwhile, scored 22 points in the loss to the Grizzlies. He seems to be fully recovered from an ankle injury that forced him to sit three games after he tallied 16 points in 25 minutes at Portland . The Splash Brothers are averaging a combined 45 points per game for the Warriors, who are tops in the NBA in offensive efficiency with 109.6 points per 100 possessions.
Andrew Bogut, who wasn’t around in the December loss to Memphis because of a knee injury, also figures to play a huge role. Bogut’s presence means that the Warriors are bound to play even better defensively. Golden State opponents score close to six points less every 100 possessions when the Australian center is on the floor per NBA stats. Bogut leads the Warriors in rebounds (8.1 RPG) and blocks (1.3 BPG) while scoring 6.3 points per game.
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Betting on the Memphis Grizzlies
There’s just one team left in the NBA the Warriora haven’t beaten yet. That’s Memphis. The Grizzlies plan to keep it that way as they welcome Golden State to FedEx Forum, where they are 9-1 SU in the Warriors last 10 visits.
Winning over Golden State again would be sweet for the Grizzlies, who are fresh off a 111-89 loss against Cleveland on Wednesday. That loss can be pinned on Memphis’ abysmal performance defensively, as they allowed the Cavs to go 43-of-84 from the field, including 14 threes. It was very uncharacteristic for Memphis, which ranks second in the league in defense with only 95.4 points allowed per game.
The Grizzlies will have to recover the defensive tenacity that held Golden State to just 41.1 percent shooting in the first meeting. Expect the same in-your-face defense from Memphis’ guards Mike Conley and Beno Udrih on the Splash Brothers. The duo limited Curry to just 1-of-9 from the three-point area in Memphis’ win over Golden State last December.
Memphis must also see Zach Randolph and Mike Conley return to their respective forms offensively after underwhelming performances against Cleveland. Randolph and Conley scored just five and 10 points, respectively, in that game. On the season, Randolph is averaging 16.4 points per game, while Conley is putting up 16.1 a game.
Writer’s Prediction
Memphis (+3.5) wins, 101-99.
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