Grizzlies vs. Warriors NBA expert prediction and odds for Wednesday, March 20 (Grizz are frisky on road)
By Peter Dewey
The Memphis Grizzlies may not be a playoff team this season, but they have a chance to play spoiler for the Golden State Warriors, who slipped to the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference after losing to the New York Knicks on Monday.
These teams have split their first two games of their season series, but Memphis could be a tough out on Wednesday now that Desmond Bane is back in the lineup. The Grizz are on a three-game losing streak, but they forced overtime against the Sacramento Kings on Monday.
With the Warriors needing every win they can get down the stretch of the season to get into at least the No. 8 spot in the West, can the team win and cover at home?
The Warriors have struggled at home all season, which could make this a spot to back the Grizzlies as road underdogs.
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Let’s break down the odds, key players and my favorite bet for this rivalry matchup:
Grizzlies vs. Warriors odds, spread and total
Grizzlies vs. Warriors how to watch
- Date: Wednesday, March 20
- Time: 10:00 p.m. EST
- Venue: Chase Center
- How to watch (TV): ESPN
- Grizzlies record: 23-46
- Warriors record: 35-32
Grizzlies vs. Warriors injury reports
Grizzlies injury report
- Santi Aldama – questionable
- Ja Morant – out
- Brandon Clarke – out
- Marcus smart – out
- Vince Williams Jr. – doubtful
- Scotty Pippen Jr. – out
- Derrick Rose – out
- Lamar Stevens – out
- Yuta Wantanabe – out
- Ziaire Williams – out
Warriors injury report
- Draymond Green – questionable
- Mose Moody – questionable
Grizzlies vs. Warriors key players to watch
Memphis Grizzlies
Desmond Bane: Since returning from an ankle sprain, Bane is averaging 23.0 points per game, shooting 14-for-36 from the field across two games. The Grizz would love to see him be more efficient, but there is no doubt that Bane raises the ceiling of this team on both ends. On the season, he’s averaging 24.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game.
Golden State Warriors
Jonathan Kuminga: Steph Curry is going to get a ton of attention from every defense, but Jonathan Kuminga has been an X-Factor for this team in the 2023-24 campaign. Kuminga is averaging a career-high 16.2 points per game, scoring 20 or more in eight of his last 11 games. He had 29 points in his last meeting with Memphis.
Grizzlies vs. Warriors prediction and pick
Give the Grizzlies credit, they have been a great team to bet on the road this season, going 17-12 against the spread as a road underdog.
Plus, the team is actually 15-19 straight up on the season away from home, a shocking mark considering that Memphis is 23 games below .500.
The Warriors, on the other hand, picked up a straight up loss and failed cover as home favorites on Monday night. That moved Golden State’s season-long ATS record to 10-18 as a home favorite – the fourth-worst mark in the NBA.
Even with the Warriors healthy, the team has struggled to cover when oddsmakers expect it to win, and I think this could be another spot to fade them.
Memphis has a lot more offensive firepower with Bane in the lineup, and it already beat the Warriors with a makeshift team earlier this season. Don’t be shocked if the Grizz at least hang around tonight.
Pick: Grizzlies +10 (-110)
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
Find Peter Dewey's NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on BetStamp here.