MEMPHIS @ GOLDEN STATE (GSW -7.5, 235.5)
NBA ODDS, NBA PREDICTIONS, NBA PREVIEWS
GRIZZLIES @ WARRIORS 11/15/24
When the Western Conference rivals play each other in the NBA Cup on Friday night in San Francisco, the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors will have their first chance to show off their new look.
The Warriors will be looking for a second straight home victory in West Group C play of the in-season event after rallying to defeat the Dallas Mavericks 120-117 in Klay Thompson's return to San Francisco on Tuesday. The Grizzlies will be making their first NBA Cup appearance of the season.
Memphis will once again be without injured players GG Jackson II (foot) and Ja Morant (hip), and Desmond Bane (oblique) is doubtful to play again after missing seven games. Marcus Smart was back in the lineup for the Grizzlies in Wednesday's 128-123 road loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. After missing six games, Smart played 23 minutes off the bench and finished with 15 points and six assists.
The Grizzlies have amassed significant numbers this season despite their injury problems. In their last four games, they have scored 131, 128, 134, and 123 points, winning three of them. Unfortunately, they trailed by as much as 13 points in the first quarter, and the Grizzlies allowed a season-high 128 points against the Lakers.
De'Anthony Melton and Kyle Anderson, who both played for the Grizzlies when they defeated Golden State in six games in the 2022 Western Conference semifinals, will be on the Warriors team Memphis will face. However, the Warriors revealed on Thursday that Melton sprained his left ACL during the Tuesday victory, so the Grizzlies will not have to face him.
Considering how well Melton has been playing lately, his injury is a serious setback. Melton had his first Golden State double-double after recovering from a back injury on Sunday, scoring 19 points and pulling down 10 rebounds in a victory over Oklahoma City. He then added 14 points in the team's victory on Tuesday. Over six games (two starts) this season, Melton is shooting 40.7 percent from the field and averaging 10.3 points in 20.2 minutes.
Kerr left open the question of who would start in Melton's place. Two contenders are Jonathan Kuminga (14.7 points per game, tied for third) and Buddy Hield (17.6 points per game, second on the team).
The Warriors have increased their scoring pace this season, much like the Grizzlies. They have now scored 120 points or more in seven games this season, including the one against Dallas. In those games, Golden State has a 7-0 record.
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COACH RICK FREE PICK:
DRAYMOND GREEN OVER 7.5 POINTS
Green has had plenty of success against the Grizzlies throughout his career. More recently, he has gone Over this number in 4 of his last 5 against Memphis. In his last 5 games against the Grizzlies, Green has scored 10, 9, 7, 11, and 16 points. This season, Green is averaging 8.7 points per game and he’s gone Over this number in 6 of his last 7 games. With a total over 235, this should be a high-scoring game and Green should be able to knock down at least 8.