The Golden State Warriors stole Game 1 on a clutch Klay Thompson three late in the fourth quarter, and the Memphis Grizzlies now find themselves in a must-win situation in Tuesday’s Game 2. The Grizzlies did, however, lose Game 1 in their first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, so they have experience being in this situation.
Will Memphis even up the series after squandering a chance to take a 1-0 lead with Draymond Green ejected from Game 1? Check out our NBA betting picks and predictions for Game 2 between the Dubs and Grizz to find out.
Warriors vs Grizzlies odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
Since opening as a 2-point underdog in this game, the Grizzlies have bounced around between getting 1.5 and 2. With that in mind, it does seem unlikely that this number gets to either 1 or 2.5 before tip.
The total, which opened at 226, is moving up rather quickly. The number is already at 227.5 at some sportsbooks, but you can still find it at 227 at the time of this writing.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until tip-off and be sure to check out the full NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
Warriors vs Grizzlies predictions
Predictions made on 5/3/2022 at 3:00 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
If you're signing up for a new sportsbook for the NBA Playoffs, here are two of the best bonuses* available:
A) New users can bet $20 and get $200 in free bets with Caesars! Sign Up Now
B) New users can get two risk-free bets up to $2,000 at PointsBet! Claim Now
*Eligible USA locations only
Warriors vs Grizzlies game info
• Location: FedExForum, Memphis, TN
• Date: Tuesday, May 3, 2022
• Tip-off: 9:30 p.m. ET
• TV: TNT
Warriors vs Grizzlies series odds
Warriors: -550.
Grizzlies: +400.
Warriors vs Grizzlies betting preview
Key injuries
Warriors: Andre Iguodala F (Out), James Wiseman C (Out).
Grizzlies: Desmond Bane G (Questionable), Steven Adams C (Doubtful), Ziaire Williams F (Questionable), Killian Tillie C (Questionable), Santi Aldama F (Questionable).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Grizzlies are 19-7 against the spread in their last 26 home games. Find more NBA betting trends for Warriors vs. Grizzlies.
Warriors vs Grizzlies picks and predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Spread analysis
The Warriors pulled out a win in Memphis in Game 1, which was absolutely massive when you factor in that Green was tossed after getting a Flagrant-2. The Grizzlies blew a tremendous opportunity to take a 1-0 lead in the series, and they’ll now have to find a way to regroup to salvage a split at home. If not, it’s hard to envision a scenario in which they’re able to win the series.
Fortunately for Memphis, the team was 21-7 straight-up and 20-7-1 against the spread when coming off a loss against an opponent in which the other team scored 110 or more points this season. The Grizzlies won those games by an average score of 114.3 to 108.1, and it’s really not that surprising when you consider that Taylor Jenkins is one of the best head coaches in basketball.
For what it’s worth, the Grizzlies surely prepared for a Warriors team that had Green in the rotation, so Memphis might have been a bit thrown off by having to face a small-ball lineup that featured even more Jordan Poole than usual. Poole had 31 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds in the series opener, and him playing 38 minutes — which he likely won’t reach with Green out there the whole game — doomed the Grizzlies.
One thing to keep an eye on in this game is the shooting of Desmond Bane. The 23-year-old guard is shooting 46.7% from deep in the postseason, but he was just 1-for-5 from three — and 3-for-10 from the floor — in Game 1. Bane isn’t likely to struggle like that again, and his ability to score opens things up for the rest of his team.
Also, when Memphis lost Game 1 to Minnesota 130-117, the team bounced back with a 28-point victory in Game 2. That’s the type of resilience we’ve grown to expect from this Grizzlies team, and they’ll look to show up in a big way here. Look for Memphis to even this up before heading to the Bay Area.
Prediction: Grizzlies +2 (-108 at WynnBet)
Over/Under analysis
These teams combined to score 233 points in the first game of this series, and the rest of this Western Conference semifinal battle should also be pretty high scoring. As of right now, the Warriors have the highest offensive rating of any team in the playoffs and the Grizzlies had the third-highest offensive rating in the league during the regular season.
These teams also happen to play at a rather fast clip, as Memphis was fourth in the NBA in pace of play during the regular season and Golden State was 15th. In the postseason, the Grizzlies are second and the Warriors fifth.
Overall, these teams feature a ton of firepower and their respective guards love to get up and down the floor in a hurry. There’s also some elite-level shooting on both sides, which means that the scoreboard can get lit up rather quickly. The Warriors added Poole to their legendary backcourt of Steph Curry and Thompson, and the Grizzlies also have a number of sharpshooters who can drill triples with ease.
The Over is 7-1 in Golden State’s last eight games and is also 12-1 in the last 13 games that Memphis has played as an underdog in the playoffs.
Prediction: Over 227 (-108 at WynnBet)
Best bet
As previously mentioned, Bane struggled to get himself going in the first game in this series, going just 1 of 5 from downtown in the loss, and the guard is dealing with a sore lower back entering Game 2.
However, given the stakes, it’d be surprising if Bane doesn’t end up playing. And it’d be downright shocking if he doesn’t knock down a good number of shots here.
In the Timberwolves series, Bane had three games in which he would have hit tonight’s Over on his threes made prop — he made at least five in each of those games — and there’s just no way he won’t come out firing away in a must-win game — especially after not being very aggressive in Game 1. Of course, you’ll want to keep an eye on his injury status in this one, but don’t be afraid to take a shot on this if he plays.
Pick: Desmond Bane Over 3.5 made threes (+135 at DraftKings)
Did you know that if you parlayed today’s NBA Warriors vs. Grizzlies predictions and picks in a single-game parlay, you could win $77.17 on a $10 bet?
Use our NBA parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
