If you’ve listened to THAT Draymond Green podcast episode, you definitely wouldn’t want to miss this Friday’s tussle between the Golden State Warriors and the Memphis Grizzlies. With that said, let’s take a look at these two teams ahead of the matchup.
Catch this game live on Friday, March 10, at 8:30 AM, Manila time
Away: Golden State Warriors (34-32/7-25 Away)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Stephen Curry
- SG: Klay Thompson
- SF: Donte DiVincenzo
- PF: Draymond Green
- C: Kevon Looney
Just when the Warriors have gotten back Stephen Curry from his long absence due to an injury, the defending NBA champions are somehow losing games. They are 0-2 straight-up since Curry’s return, which followed a five-game win streak. After losing to the Los Angeles Lakers (113-105) and to the Oklahoma City Thunder (137-128), the Warriors hope that meeting Memphis will get them a win to end a three-game road trip.
Golden State is 2-0 SU in matchups against the Grizzlies, so far this season, and the third meeting projects to be a much easier assignment for the Warriors, as Memphis will be out without its top gunner in Ja Morant unlike in the first two showdowns. The Warriors, who are 5-2-1 against the spread in their last eight games after one day of rest, will also be dealing with a struggling Memphis defense that has allowed 120.0 points in the last three games.
Home: Memphis Grizzlies (38-26/26-5 Home)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Tyus Jones
- SG: Desmond Bane
- SF: Dillon Brooks
- PF: Jaren Jackson Jr.
- C: Xavier Tillman
Even if they are operating without Morant at the moment and despite the losses they’ve suffered of late, the Grizzlies still have bullets that can hurt the Warriors. In their most recent outing, big man Jaren Jackson Jr. fired 26 points on 8/15 shooting from the field, while Tre Jones, starting in lieu of Morant, chipped in 16 points.
Obviously, the dynamics of the Grizzlies’ offense have changed dramatically in the absence of Morant, but after two games without him, Memphis might be better adjusted to its temporary setup this time around. Dillon Brooks could be the x-factor this Friday for Memphis, as he has all the motivation in the world to put up a strong performance after getting obliterated by Draymond Green. The Warriors just allowed nearly 140 points to the Thunder, so even with Morant absent, the Grizzlies should be able to exploit some cracks in the defense of Golden State, which, by the way, has failed to cover in all of its last six trips to Memphis.
PREDICTIONS:
Spread: The Grizzlies (+2.5) cover the spread.
Over/Under: The Over (235.5) hits.
