Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

Expectations were low of the Golden State Warriors after last season's 10th-place finish in the Western Conference, but they have come out of the blocks like a rocket to go 9-2 in their opening 11 games.

Their strong start continued on Tuesday with a three-point victory over a talented Dallas Mavericks in their opening NBA Cup match, a result which has made them strong favorites for their second game in the in-season tournament, a home clash with the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.

Taylor Jenkins' side have also started fairly strongly, going 7-5 in their opening dozen fixtures, but with Ja Morant injured and Desmond Bane, Brandon Clarke and Vince Williams Jr facing late fitness tests, they arrive as big underdogs at the Chase Center.

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors betting picks and predictions

Memphis Grizzlies +7.5 (-110)

With the Golden State Warriors two wins better off than their visitors, despite having played two games fewer, it is easy to see why they are favorites for this clash. 

The Warriors have won seven of their last eight matches in a sensational run, including victories over some of the NBA's best teams. Golden State has beaten the Celtics, Thunder and Mavericks in that run, while their sole defeat came against the Eastern Conference leaders, the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

All of that has combined to make them eight-point favorites for their visit from the Grizzlies, but there is reason to believe that spread is just a tad too steep. 

Memphis are missing some key men, most notably Morant, but they have coped fine with injuries in the past and their results this season, and of late, suggest they are unlikely to be blown away in San Francisco. 

In their three games without Morant, the Grizzlies recorded 24 and 45-point victories over the Wizards and Trail Blazers before a narrow defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers, who have started the season extremely strongly. 

Memphis have covered +7.5 in nine of their last 10 games and the stylistic match-up with the Warriors suggests they should do so again. Golden State love to play small, something which may play into the Grizzlies' hands, given they have plenty of big men to offer a threat physically and disrupt the Warriors' gameplan.  

Jaren Jackson Jr. over 5.5 rebounds (-120)

None of the Warriors' projected starters are averaging above 5.3 rebounds this season, with Draymond Green boasting that figure - one which is very low in comparison to the rest of the league's big men. 

Kevon Looney's average of 8.5 shows he is the chief glass cleaner for Golden State, but even he may have difficulty in preventing Memphis from dominating the Chase Center's boards on Friday. 

With Clarke a doubt, Jaren Jackson Jr will be expected to pick up the rebounding mantle for the Grizzlies and he may just oblige. 

JJJ is averaging 5.6 rebounds per game this season but he seems to be improving in that statistic, grabbing six in each of his last four outings, and could have a solid night on the boards against an undersized Warriors. 

Only four teams have a lower contested rebound success rate than Golden State's 30.6 per cent, suggesting that if the Grizzlies, and Jackson Jr in particular, get physical with the Warriors, they should dominate the boards. 

Santi Aldama 15+ points (+170)

In the absence of Morant, Jackson Jr will also be expected to lead his team offensively too, but he will require some help in that department. Luckily, Santi Aldama should be able to support his front-court partner in that mission. 

The Spaniard scored 16 points against the Portland Trail Blazers before notching 15 against the Lakers - the latter an impressive feat given he was guarded by solid defenders, namely LeBron James or Rui Hachimura, for the majority of the match. 

Aldama is playing an average of 30.1 minutes per game this term, a notable stat given he has scored at least 15 points on both occasions he has spent half an hour on the court against the Warriors in the past, notching 27 in this most recent meeting between the sides. 

Additionally, Aldama has made 93.3 per cent of his free throws this term. Only three sides have committed more fouls per game than the Warriors' 22.3, suggesting the Spaniard could get plenty of opportunities at the line. 

With that in mind, it could pay to back Aldama to crush his 12.5 points line and go for the bigger price about him notching 15 at the Chase Center. 

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Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors odds

Memphis Grizzlies	+240 ML
Golden State Warriors	-300 ML
Spread	GSW -7.5
Total Points	O/U 236

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors player props

Player Points

Stephen Curry	O/U 26.5
Jaren Jackson Jr	O/U 22.5
Andrew Wiggins	O/U 15.5
Santi Aldama	O/U 12.5
Jaylen Wells	O/U 10.5
Zach Edey	O/U 10.5

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.