The Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors meet again in the NBA postseason with a spot in the playoffs on the line. Here are predictions, picks and odds for the play-in tournament game:
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The Golden State Warriors meet the Memphis Grizzlies yet again in the NBA postseason.
Stephen Curry and Draymond Green had to defeat the Grit and Grind Grizzlies en route to their first NBA championship with Golden State in 2015, and then they had to get past Ja Morant’s Grizzlies to win their most recent NBA championship in 2022. On Tuesday, the rivalry resumes once more with a play-in tournament game to determine the Western Conference’s No. 7 seed in the 2025 playoffs.
The winner will face the No. 2 seed Houston Rockets in a first-round series. The loser will host a play-in tournament to determine the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference bracket against the loser of Wednesday’s play-in tournament game between the No. 9 seed Sacramento Kings and No. 10 seed Dallas Mavericks.
Though Golden State lost its final regular-season game to the Los Angeles Clippers with a chance to avoid the play-in tournament, it’s the favorite after compiling one of the Western Conference’s best records (22-8) since acquiring Jimmy Butler via trade in February. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, slid from as high as second in the Western Conference standings after the trade deadline and eventually fired coach Taylor Jenkins about three weeks ago.
The Warriors won three of the four regular-season matchups, including a 134-125 win in Memphis on April 1 with Grizzlies interim coach Tuomas Iisalo. Curry scored 52 points in the game, which is also when Morant’s on-court celebrations first caught the attention of the NBA. But the Grizzlies do have a little history on their side. They beat the Warriors on the road in the first NBA play-in tournament in 2021 behind Morant’s 35 points and kept Golden State out of the playoffs.
Experts are weighing in on who will win and emerge as the winner this time when the Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies clash at the Chase Center in San Francisco. Here’s a look at the odds, notable predictions and picks, and how to watch Tuesday’s NBA play-in tournament game:
Grizzlies vs. Warriors predictions: Play-In Tournament picks
USA TODAY: Most experts take the Warriors
USA TODAY NBA team leans toward Golden State winning as NBA reporters Jeff Zillgitt and James Williams, as well as USA TODAY NBA editor Heather Tucker, picked the Warriors to beat the Grizzlies. USA TODAY’s Jordan Mendoza, however, picked Memphis to upset Golden State on the road to earn the No. 7 seed and face the No. 2 seed Houston Rockets in a Western Conference first-round series.
Sportsbook Wire: Warriors 118, Grizzlies 114
“The Warriors have been favored on the moneyline 55 total times this season. They’ve finished 37-18 in those games. … This season, the Grizzlies have been the underdog 30 times and won nine, or 30%, of those games.”
Sporting News: Warriors 124, Grizzlies 115
“Golden State will run circles around the Grizzlies, who have already lost nine of their past 14 games. One of those games was a 134-125 loss to the Warriors (April 1). Look for the (Warriors) to set the pace early, make things difficult for Ja and JJJ, and take advantage of slow and inexperienced rookie Zach Edey.”
The Oklahoman: Warriors 115, Grizzlies 110
“Memphis ranks first in the NBA in drives per game (59.5). And while one might think that’d present a problem for Golden State, which is undersized, the team excels at protecting the rim. The Warriors only surrender an average of 45.7 points in the paint per game, which is the second-lowest average in the league. Golden State should hold its own defensively, and the veteran duo of Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler will provide enough offense to get the win at home.”
ESPN: Warriors have 62.4% chance to win
The Golden State Warriors have a 62.4% chance to beat the Memphis Grizzlies in their play-in game on Tuesday, April 15, according to ESPN’s matchup predictor.
Draftkings Network: Warriors should win, but Grizzlies cover
“The deciding factor is probably which version of Morant takes the floor, but Jaren Jackson Jr. has taken a leap as a scorer this season and can carry the load at times, too. The Warriors should win, but if the Grizzlies’ offense plays to their strengths, this Play-In Tournament matchup has the makings of a competitive affair with some sneaky upset appeal.”
Grizzlies vs. Warriors odds
BetMGM odds as of Monday, April 14
- Spread: Golden State (-6.5)
- Moneyline: Golden State (-300); Memphis (+240)
- Over/under: 228.5
How to watch Grizzlies vs. Warriors: TV channel, live streaming for NBA play-in tournament
- Date: Tuesday, April 15
- Time: 10 p.m. ET
- Location: Chase Center (San Francisco)
- TV: TNT
- Streaming: Max, Sling TV
