Golden State Warriors-Memphis Grizzlies: Match Preview, Stats, & Much More | 10 May

The NBA Playoffs are only becoming more interesting with each day and we have seen some heated battles already. Two match-ups are tied, i.e. between the 76ers and the Heat and between the Suns and the Mavericks. The Heat and the Suns finished at the top of their respective conferences but now have their work cut out for sure. The Bucks will clash against the Celtics in a series where they have taken a two-one lead. And then we have another interesting clash as the Golden State Warriors take on the Memphis Grizzlies, on a two-one lead. The Warriors turned on the intensity knob in Game 3 and took care of Memphis 142:112 in what was one of the most lopsided games this season. Can the Grizzlies bounce back here?

Handicap: Bookmakers from 22bet suggest the Warriors have the overwhelming odds of 1.16 to win this game which means they are being considered the clear-cut favorites. If Morant misses out, which he most likely will, the chances of the Grizzlies are surely going to take a huge hit but do remember this team extracted some quality production even without him. The Grizzlies were exposed in the last game and it is really tough to bet against the Warriors, however, I don’t think the Grizzlies will be blown to smithereens either again. (Handicap 2 +10.5 for 1.90)

Player Props: Bookmakers at bet365 predict odds of 1.80 for Klay Thompson going Over 2.5 assists here(At least 3 assists). Klay has dished 4, 3, 3 assists in the last three games and it means he has gone past the aforementioned mark thrice in a row. I believe he will do it soon again and would like to go “Over” here. (Player Props: Player Assists: Klay Thompson Over 2.5 Assists for 1.80)

Total: Bookmakers at 1xbet give the Total of 223.5(Over/Under) the equal odds of 1.97 and this has been a high-scoring series so far. The first game had 233 points, the second one 207, while the last game saw the Warriors drop 142 and an overall total of 254. I believe this will continue to be a high-scoring affair and see it in the 230-240 points even if Morant misses the action. I’d go “Over” here. (Total Over 223.5 for 1.97)

This match is available on the NBA League Pass.

I think no one in the whole league can beat the Warriors if the trio of Poole, Curry, and Thompson get it going at the same time. The three combined for 78 points on a high-shooting percentage which spelled doom for Memphis. Apart from these three, Andrew Wiggins continues to dip in 15-17 points a game, and his activity level has resulted in the Grizzlies’ being caught off-guard. The Warriors shot 63% from the floor in the last game and it is the type of the percentage that will result in wins 99% of the time. One huge advantage that the Warriors over the Grizzlies have is that unlike the Grizzlies, which have only received consistent production from Morant, the Warriors have multiple options and a guard trio that is unmatched in this league. Seriously, there seems to be huge depth disparity at this point.

The Grizzlies are overly dependent upon Morant once again and this was one of their weaknesses when they entered the Playoffs. It is strange that when Morant is injured, the team plays more alert on the offensive end and doesn’t curb the intensity on the defensive end. I am not saying that Morant isn’t a winning player but the Grizz effort gets a bit stagnant when he dominates the ball, this is one of those ironies. But to be honest, the Grizzlies' chances against a team like the Warriors look slim without Ja. The Forwards have been shut down by the intimidating presence of Green, Porter, and Wiggins so Bane and Brooks will have to take charge here. The chances of a win look really slim for Memphis here but you never know if they discover their mojo.

• Grizzlies most likely starting five: PG: Tyus Jones | SG: Desmond Bane | SF: Dillon Brooks | PF: Jaren Jackson Jr. | C: Xavier Tillman;
• Key Bench Player: Brandon Clarke, De’Anthony Melton, Kyle Anderson;
• Warriors most likely starting five: PG: Stephen Curry | SG: Klay Thompson | SF: Andrew Wiggins | F: Jonathan Kuminga, PF: Draymond Green;
• Key Bench Players: Jordan Poole, Otto Porter Jr.