Adam Williams presents his prediction for the NBA match.
The Golden State Warriors battled until the final round of the regular season in pursuit of a direct playoff spot, but an overtime loss in their last game dropped them into the play-in tournament. Their opponents, the Memphis Grizzlies, have already fallen to Stephen Curry and the team three times this season.
Golden State Warriors
The main strength of the Golden State Warriors lies in their wealth of playoff experience and championship background. Few teams have logged more postseason minutes, and that kind of experience is vital in high-stakes encounters like this. Team leader Stephen Curry remains in top form, as evidenced by his 36 points and 6 assists in the final regular-season fixture. He received significant support from Jimmy Butler, who chipped in with 30 points.
Memphis Grizzlies
Over their final nine regular-season games, the Grizzlies registered only four wins. Notably, one came against the Charlotte Hornets, and another against the Dallas Mavericks, who were resting key players. A coaching change has done little to bring balance to the team. Defensively, they have been erratic, conceding an average of 116.7 points per game during that stretch—including 141 to the Minnesota Timberwolves and 134 each to the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors. Offensively, the Grizzlies lack reliability. Ja Morant continues to shoulder a heavy scoring load, but his shooting efficiency fluctuates significantly, ranging from 63% to as low as 38% on any given night.
Golden State Warriors vs Memphis Grizzlies Prediction
Just two weeks ago, these sides met in what served as a de facto dress rehearsal for this play-in matchup. On that occasion, the Golden State Warriors claimed a 134:125 victory on the road. Now, with the benefit of home-court advantage, the seasoned leaders of the Golden State Warriors will understand the stakes. The Grizzlies are unlikely to mount a serious challenge.
