After the long and winding road that has been the 2020-21 NBA betting regular season, we have reached the final day. Fittingly enough, there is still plenty left to be decided on the last day of the season when it comes to playoff seeding. Among Sunday’s matchups is a critical Western Conference showdown between the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors. The two teams will be vying for the right to have a buffer game in the NBA Play-In Tournament. The NBA odds have dubbed the home team as the favorite in their pregame Grizzlies vs Warriors prediction.
Grizzlies vs Warriors Game Info
Memphis Grizzlies (38-33, 20-15 Away) vs. Golden State Warriors (38-33, 24-11 Home)
Date: Sunday, May 16, 2021
Start Time: 3:30 p.m. EST
Venue: Chase Center — San Francisco, CA
Coverage: ESPN
Grizzlies vs Warriors NBA Betting Odds
Moneyline: MEM: (+160) | GSW: (-180)
Spread: MEM: +4 (-110) | GSW: -4 (-110)
Total: 229.5 — Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)
Grizzlies vs Warriors NBA Betting Overview
Grizzlies Outlook
Both teams enter this afternoon’s NBA betting matchup with five-game winning streaks in tow. The Grizzlies come in having won six of their last seven games overall, most recently sweeping back-to-back matchups from the Sacramento Kings. A win on Sunday would enable Memphis to finish as the 8-seed in the Western Conference and jump up a rung in the NBA Play-In Tournament.
One player who we know is ready for today’s massive clash is Ja Morant. The reigning NBA Rookie of the Year has been up and down all season in terms of production. Nonetheless, Morant’s comments and Instagram story before today’s game would suggest that he is plenty fired up to improve the Grizzlies’ playoff seeding. Memphis has battled various injuries throughout the year, but the team has gotten healthier down the stretch. The frontcourt is loaded with both Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jonas Valanciunas. That tandem should have a favorable matchup against the depleted Golden State interior on Sunday.
Grizzlies Injury Report
- Out: Grayson Allen (abdomen)
Warriors Outlook
While he may not win the award, Stephen Curry has played like an NBA MVP this season and then some. Without his running mate Klay Thompson, Curry has soldiered on and now has the Warriors in a position to avoid the 9-10 elimination game in the NBA Play-In Tournament. Golden State has been strong on their home floor this season, an added reason why they are the NBA betting favorites for this matchup.
One could argue that the Warriors’ recent five-game surge down the stretch of the season is even more impressive given the condition of their injury report. Kelly Oubre Jr. remains sidelined with a wrist injury, yet Golden State pulled out wins over the top two teams in the Western Conference standings this past week in the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns. Draymond Green has been terrific with double-doubles in each of the last three games he’s played. He extended that out to a triple-double performance in the win over Phoenix on Tuesday.
Warriors Injury Report
- Out: Kelly Oubre Jr. (wrist), Damion Lee (virus), James Wiseman (knee), Klay Thompson (knee)
Grizzlies vs Warriors NBA Betting Trends
- Grizzlies 2020-21 Betting Trends: 42-29 ATS; 36-35 to the Over
- Warriors 2020-21 Betting Trends: 36-35 ATS; 30-41 to the Over
- The total has gone under in five of the Grizzlies’ last six games.
- Warriors are 5-0 both SU and ATS in their last five games.
- Grizzlies are 4-2 both SU and ATS in their last six head-to-head matchups against the Warriors.
Grizzlies vs Warriors Stats
- Memphis is averaging 113.5 points per game (PPG) this season (Tied for No. 13 in the NBA)
- Memphis is surrendering 112.3 PPG on the season (No. 17 in the NBA)
- Golden State is averaging 113.7 PPG this season (No. 12 in the NBA)
- Golden State is surrendering 112.8 PPG (No. 19 in the NBA)
Grizzlies vs Warriors Prediction
The Grizzlies are terrific on the road, owning a 22-13 record against the spread. The Warriors are equally good at home, also owning a 22-13 record against the spread. This simply comes down to experience and having the ability to win the big game. Memphis is inexperienced in this department. The Warriors have both Curry and Green, who know how to win. Curry is also the only superstar in this game, and these are the moments where he is supposed to step up and win a game. I am predicting he will do just that.
Grizzlies vs Warriors Prop Bet
Kevon Looney Over 6.5 Rebounds (-128)
He may not be the most notable name in this NBA betting matchup, but Kevon Looney is our featured Grizzlies vs Warriors prediction for Sunday. The NBA odds have his total rebounds prop set at 6.5. Recently, Looney has had no trouble whatsoever clearing this number. He notched double-digit boards in three straight games and also pulled in 7 and 8 rebounds respectively in each of the Warriors’ last two games. Both Memphis and Golden State like to get out and play with tempo, which only means more opportunities for cleaning up the glass. Looney will have a tough matchup inside against Jonas Valanciunas, but his contributions on the boards will be vital to the Warriors’ success in this critical matchup.
