Warriors vs Grizzlies Betting Preview: Game 5

Warriors Go for Jugular

The Golden State Warriors could finish off the Memphis Grizzlies on the road in Game 5 of their playoff series on Wednesday. It would be the Warriors’ first trip back to Western Conference finals since 2019, when Kevin Durant was still with the team. Golden State is 17-11 as a road favorite this season and that factors into the Warriors vs Grizzlies betting preview.

More notably, the Warriors landed a gut punch in their Game 4 comeback, a huge takeaway from the Memphis Grizzlies’ last game. Led by Steph Curry’s 18 points in the fourth, Golden State outscored Memphis 39-29 on Monday to grab a 3-1 lead and a stranglehold of the series. Curry made history by becoming the first player to hit 500 3-pointers in the playoffs, though he hasn’t exactly shot the ball that effectively from deep. In fact, Golden State is hitting just 32.4 percent of their threes.

Curry may be the only weapon the Warriors need on offense to finish off Memphis and that’s thanks to their shut-down defense. Golden State is also having a tough time getting good shots against Memphis’s athletic defenders, but it has limited Memphis to a 49.3 effective field goal rate (eFG%).

For your Golden State Warriors betting tips, realize that as long as they stay within striking range of the Grizzlies, two-time MVP Curry can put them away.

Game Information

• Team records: Golden State Warriors (53-29, third seed in West); Memphis Grizzlies (56-26, second seed in West).
• Date: Wednesday, 9:30 p.m. ET
• Television/live stream: TNT
• Location: FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN

Grizzlies: Plenty of Fight Left

The Memphis Grizzlies easily could be up 3-1 over the Golden State Warriors. Other than Game 3, the series has been close and decided in the final possessions of the game. Ja Morant missed several go-ahead baskets at the end of Game 1. Curry made some clutch plays at the end of Game 4.

Memphis has played Golden State close consistently and it may be the experience edge that is carrying the Warriors. But now without their best player due to Morant’s knee injury, the Grizzlies will have a tougher time. Even with a 20-6 record in games without Morant, Memphis lacked that closer it needed in the fourth quarter.

The Grizzlies had five players score in double figures but the team as a whole had a 46.4 eFG% in Game 4. This young team has plenty of will to win but those mistakes in crucial possessions will limit its ceiling. But with the crowd now on their side, the Grizzlies may just get that extra push to overcome their experience disadvantage.

Who Will Step Up in Morant’s Absence?

The short answer is Dillon Brooks. The mercurial guard is known for his energy and defense, but if he can shoot better, he will give the Warriors more to worry about. The Canadian is in the midst of a shooting slump, having hit just 22.9 percent from the field. In fact, he’s had more fouls (11) than made field goals (eight) in this series.

Over his career, Brooks does see an uptick in his efficiency when he plays at home. His offensive rating bumps from 98 on the road to 103 and his true shooting percent goes from 50.7 to 52.5. Considering how close the series has been, an extra made bucket or two will go a long way in closing the gap between the teams.

The other guard is Tyus Jones. He filled in nicely for Morant scoring 19 points and adding five assists while turning the ball over just once. Memphis has only lost five times (32-5) when he hits double figures in scoring, something to consider in the Warriors vs Grizzlies betting preview. Jones may need to channel from his hurt teammate and go above and beyond to give Memphis a fighting chance.

Warriors vs Grizzlies Betting Trends

The Memphis Grizzlies have covered the spread in their last five home games against the Golden State Warriors. Memphis has the best cover rate among home teams in the league: 65.2 percent (30-16-0).

The Warriors have covered just one of their last seven games all as a favorite. The team is just 11-15-2 against the spread (ATS) when it is a road favorite.

The total has gone under in 10 of the last 15 games between Memphis and Golden State. And when the Warriors are a road favorite, the under cashes 57.1 percent of the time (12-16-0).

Curry is averaging 31.7 points in seven games against the Grizzlies this season. The Warriors are 3-1 against Memphis when Curry scores at least 30 points.