NBA Betting – Golden State Warriors at Memphis Grizzlies

Golden State Warriors (-3.5, 197.5) at Memphis Grizzlies

The two top teams in the Western Conference will square off in Tennessee tonight as the Golden State Warriors (58-13, 24-11 away) visit the Memphis Grizzlies (50-22, 27-8 home) at the FedExForum (8:00 p.m. Eastern).

Not only does Golden State boast the best record in the West, but they are first in the NBA thanks to nine wins in their last ten games (including seven straight).

Most recently, Steph Curry and co. demolished the Trail Blazers in Portland, 122-108. Curry had 33 points and ten dimes in the win, while Andre Iguodala turned back the clock, pouring in 21 points off the bench on 9/11 shooting. The win clinched the Pacific Division title for Golden State.

The Warriors have opened up an 8.5-game lead over Memphis in the conference standings and are a virtual lock for home-court advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs. That said, the team knows that Memphis is a potential conference championship foe and wants to set the tone for any possible playoff matchup tonight.

“It’s an important game because this is a team that you’ll possibly see in the Western Conference playoffs or finals or whatever it will be,” said Warriors forward Draymond Green. “It’s definitely an important game. You definitely want to try to send a message. You also want to feel good about yourselves and continue to play well, most importantly.”

Memphis still has the second-best record in the Western Conference, but haven’t looked as dominant of late.  They are just 5-4 in their last nine and were dominated at home by the Cleveland Cavaliers (111-89) on Wednesday.

“It makes you have a sickness in your stomach because you know that you are better than that,” said power forward Zach Randolph, who was held to a season-low five points against Cleveland.

But Randolph sees a silver lining: “It’s the NBA, so it’s a good thing because you always have a game the next day.” (He may not have realized the Warriors were next on the schedule when he said that, though.)

Injury-wise, Shaun Livingston (hand) is questionable for the Warriors tonight. The Grizzlies come in at full capacity.

Tonight’s game will be the second of the season between Golden State and Memphis. Back on December 16, the Warriors won 105-98 at home. They come into tonight as 3.5-point road favorites with the over/under at 197.5.

In the trends, the Warriors have won five straight ATS. Memphis, meanwhile, is just 5-7 ATS in its last 12. However, Golden State is a dismal 1-10 SU in its last 11 games in Memphis.

If the Warriors’ struggles in Memphis make you uneasy about laying the points, consider the over.  Golden State has hit the over in seven of its last eight, overall, and 197.5 is the lowest total you’re going to see in a Golden State game for a while. (The defensive-minded Grizzlies are an even 6-6 o/u in their last 12.)

(Photo credit: Keith Allison (flickr) “Stephen Curry” [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/]. Photo has been cropped.)