Memphis Grizzlies (23-11) vs. Golden State Warriors (17-16)
January 4, 2025 8:30 pm EDT
The Line: Golden State Warriors -2.5; Over/Under: +239
(Get latest betting odds)
The Memphis Grizzlies invade the Chase Center to take on the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night. Here’s a Golden State Warriors vs Memphis Grizzlies Prediction. This article will include a Golden State Warriors vs Memphis Grizzlies Pick.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies have been in fine form as they’ve won five of their last eight games overall. The Grizzlies will be looking to bounce back in this one after coming up just short of the Kings in a 138-133 road defeat last night. Jaylen Wells led the team with 30 points on 11 of 16 shooting, Jaren Jackson Jr added 28 points with five assists while Desmond Bane chipped in with 22 points on seven of 14 shooting.
As a team, the Grizzlies shot 48 percent from the field and 17 of 37 from the 3-point line as they worked hard to overcome an early 15-point deficit. The Grizzlies then slipped in the fourth quarter where they allowed 36 points to give the Kings the win in the end. The Grizzlies will play against the Mavs, Rockets, Wolves, Rockets, and Spurs following this one.
Golden State Warriors
Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors have been in a slump as they’ve lost seven of their last 10 games overall, but they will be feeling much better after blowing past the 76ers in a dominant 139-105 home win on Thursday. Stephen Curry led the team with 30 points, six rebounds, and 10 assists, Jonathan Kuminga added 20 points with five assists off the bench while Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins chipped in with 15 points apiece.
As a team, the Warriors shot a sizzling 60 percent from the field and 22 of 39 from the 3-point line as they dominated right from the tipoff and held the 76ers to just 19 points in the first quarter. The Warriors poured in 71 points in the second half to come away with the much-needed blowout win at home.
Why the Golden State Warriors will win
- The Grizzlies have lost each of their last 11 road games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Warriors have won each of their last eight home games against the Grizzlies.
- The Warriors have covered the spread in eight of their last nine home games on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Grizzlies have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
Why the Memphis Grizzlies will win
- The Grizzlies have won each of their last six games following a loss.
- The Warriors have lost each of their last five games following a win.
- The Grizzlies have covered the spread in each of their last nine games following a loss.
- The Warriors have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games following a win.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Warriors rank 30th in the league for free throw percentage this season (71.3%).
- The Warriors rank 30th in the league for free throws made per game this season (14.8).
- The Grizzlies rank 1st in the league for points per game this season (123.5).
- The Grizzlies rank 1st in the league for free throws made per game this season (19.3).
Golden State Warriors vs Memphis Grizzlies Prediction
The Grizzlies are still missing Ja Morant, Santi Aldama, and Marcus Smart to name a few, while the Warriors have already ruled out Brandin Podziemski and Stephen Curry for this one. Both teams are missing some key players for this one, but it has been the Grizzlies who come into this meeting with momentum, as they’ve managed to keep winning games despite the growing injury list. The Warriors just smashed the 76ers in a big win in their last outing, but they were ice-cold before that win, so it’s hard to trust them in this one. You can make an argument for either side here, but I think the Warriors get a much-needed victory in this one against a depleted Grizzlies team playing their second game of a back-to-back set.
