We are surely in the last phase of the Second Round of the Playoffs and various underdogs have shown their teeth in full flow pushing the favorites to the brink. The Mavericks tied the series against the Suns and will be confident in pulling off an upset. However, the matters are more urgent for the Memphis Grizzlies, a team that did beat the Warriors in the last game with a huge margin of 134:95 as the team had their most balanced scoring effort. However, the Warriors will be hosting the Grizzlies this time around and the Grizzlies have not won away from home versus them yet. Can they force a Game 7?
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Best bets on Warriors vs Grizzlies
Handicap: Bookmakers from 22bet are giving the Warriors overwhelming odds of 1.24 and it is because they are at their home floor, where they are yet to lose a game. These odds come despite the Warriors losing by 39 points. Have the Grizzlies found their groove? I don’t think they will be able to beat the Warriors here though and I believe they will win bhy a difference of at least 6 points. (Handicap 1 -7.5 for 1.80)
Player Props: Bookmakers at bet365 predict odds of 1.74 for Draymond Green going Over 7.5 Rebounds here(At least 8 Rebounds). Draymond has grabbed 7, 11, 5, 10, and 4 rebounds in the five games of the series. I believe he will be up for a huge rebounding night here as the Warriors will force a bunch of misses. (Player Props: Player Rebounds: Draymond Green Over 7.5 Rebounds for 1.86)
Total: Bookmakers at 1xbet give the Total of Over 217.5 has the odds of 1.965. The five games of the series so far have totaled 229, 199, 256, 207, 233. It means three of the games have already gone over 217 but yes, interestingly Morant-less Grizzlies have not allowed the Warriors to go past 101 in the two games so far. But I believe the Warriors will bounce back here and this will be a high-scoring game. (Total Over 217.5 for 1.965)
Where to Watch Warriors vs Grizzlies
This game is available on the NBA League Pass
Warriors: Facing heat from active Grizzlies defense
A 39-point loss can surely quash the confidence of most teams and the Warriors’ offense has been now shut down twice in a row. The Grizzlies’ ability to steal the ball and force turnovers was in full flow during Game 5 as the Warriors turned it over 22 times, meanwhile, getting overwhelmed on the rebounding end too as the Grizzlies clasped 55 rebounds compared to 37 by the Warriors. The Grizzlies shot efficiently from three, nailing 18 of their 41 threes, four more than the Grizzlies. Poole had a horrid night, one of his six shots while turning it over 4 times. The scoring line for different players also looks more horrible because the game was already done before the fourth quarter as the Grizzlies had raised 27 points by the first half and 52 points lead by the third quarter in what was the most thorough destruction of the Playoffs so far.
Grizzlies: Better without Morant?
The Grizzlies won 20 and lost 5 games without Morant in the Regular Season. Without him, the Grizzlies almost nailed a win in Game 4, losing by just three, following it with a 39 points win. It has been a defensive effort that has been so thrilling without Morant and this is not a slight on him but I have argued before that the Grizzlies unit looks more polished without Morant and with Tyus Jones running the Point. Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson, and Tyus Jones, each scored 21 points, combining for 62 points in Game 5, the type of balance missing in the prior games. The Grizzlies finished with 37 assists and perhaps with Morant hoarding possessions and going on iso mode, the other players can become passive and less aggressive. Can the Grizzlies force a Game 7? Wouldn’t that mean that they play better without Morant? What a dilemma! Also, was the decision to not field Steven Adams in the lineup earlier backfired in the series?
Warriors vs Grizzlies: possible lineups
- Grizzlies most likely starting five: PG: Tyus Jones | SG: Desmond Bane | SF: Dillon Brooks | PF: Jaren Jackson Jr. | C: Steven Adams;
- Key Bench Player: Brandon Clarke, De’Anthony Melton, Ziaire Williams, 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, Kevon Looney.
