Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors Pick & Prediction APRIL 15th 2025
Preview and Prediction
In an effort to secure a top-six spot in the Western Conference playoffs, the Golden State Warriors made a move at the trade deadline to acquire Jimmy Butler. Despite Butler's impact, the Warriors fell short of their goal and now find themselves in the play-in tournament as the seventh seed. On Tuesday night in San Francisco, they will face the eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies in a crucial game to determine the No. 7 playoff spot in the West. The winner will go on to face the No. 2 Houston Rockets in the first round.
Following the trade for Butler, the Warriors went 23-7 in games he played. However, even with this success, they were unable to secure an automatic playoff berth, falling just one game short of the No. 6 spot held by the Minnesota Timberwolves. This also means that the Warriors will miss out on the opportunity to rest and refuel before the playoffs, as they will have to play at least one game in the play-in tournament.
Despite this setback, veteran forward Draymond Green remains confident in his team's ability to succeed. He stated that the lack of rest and potential back-to-back games in the play-in round is a non-issue for the Warriors, as they have been training all year for this moment.
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The Warriors will be relying on their older players, such as 37-year-old Stephen Curry, 35-year-old Jimmy Butler, and 35-year-old Draymond Green, to lead them in the postseason. Butler, who had a tumultuous time with the Miami Heat, fit in well with the Warriors and averaged 17.9 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game. Curry, on the other hand, continues to defy his age with team-best averages of 24.5 points and 6.0 assists, making over 300 three-pointers for the sixth time in his career.
One major concern for the Warriors is their lack of rebounding, as they were outrebounded 42-25 in their final regular-season game against the Los Angeles Clippers. This could be a problem against the Grizzlies, who are known for their aggressive rebounding. However, Curry believes that if they can secure rebounds and capitalize on fast breaks, they can overcome this challenge.
The Grizzlies made a coaching change with just nine games left in the season, firing Taylor Jenkins and promoting interim coach Tuomas Iisalo. Under Iisalo, the team has gone 4-5, with four wins in their final six games. Despite the change, the Grizzlies are feeling confident and ready to prove themselves against the Warriors.
The Warriors won three out of four games against the Grizzlies this season, with their victories coming by five, eight, and nine points. In their lone game with Butler, Curry scored a whopping 52 points in a 134-125 win on April 1. However, the Grizzlies also had a dominant performance against the Warriors, winning 144-93 and setting a franchise record with 27 three-pointers.
In the end, it will come down to this crucial game between the Warriors and the Grizzlies to determine the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Both teams are determined to come out on top and make a statement in the postseason. It's sure to be an intense and exciting matchup between these two talented teams.
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Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors Recap APR 15TH 2025
Jimmy Butler III scored 38 points and Stephen Curry added 37 and the Golden State Warriors earned the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference playoffs with a 121-116 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in the play-in round on Tuesday night at San Francisco.
Curry drained six 3-pointers and hit all 13 of his free-throw attempts to help the Warriors hold off Memphis.
Golden State will face the second-seeded Rockets in the first round of the playoffs, beginning Sunday in Houston. It was the first time the Warriors won a play-in game in four attempts.
The Grizzlies will host either the Sacramento Kings or the Dallas Mavericks on Friday for the No. 8 playoff seed. The Kings and Mavericks play their play-in game on Wednesday night.
Desmond Bane made five treys and scored 30 points for Memphis, and Ja Morant added 22 points despite missing some time in the second half due to an ankle injury. Jaren Jackson Jr. had 18 points, Zach Edey amassed 14 points and 17 rebounds and Santi Alamda also scored 14 for the Grizzlies, who trailed by 20 in the second quarter.
Edey made two free throws with 14.3 seconds left to pull the Grizzlies within 117-116. Curry hit two free throws with 5.4 seconds left to push the lead back to three.
After a timeout, Aldama didn't inbound the ball before being called for a violation to destroy the Grizzlies' attempt to tie. Curry was fouled again with 3.4 seconds left and made both free throws to seal the game.
Gary Payton II had 12 points and Quinten Post added 11 for Golden State, which shot 45.9 percent from the field, including 15 of 43 (34.9 percent) from 3-point range.
The Grizzlies made 48.8 percent of their attempts from the floor and hit 12 of 26 (46.2 percent) from behind the arc.
Memphis trailed by 12 at halftime before making a spirited run in the third quarter.
Morant converted a three-point play as Memphis crept within 82-81 with 4:25 remaining in the period, but Morant hurt his right ankle on the play when he landed on Buddy Hield's left foot. After Morant sank the free throw, the Grizzlies fouled on purpose to get Morant out of the game.
Memphis scored the first five points of the final quarter on a 3-pointer by Bane and a hoop by John Konchar to go up 96-94, its first lead since the opening quarter.
Morant returned with the game tied at 96 and 9:26 remaining.
Butler had 21 first-half points and Golden State led 67-55 at the break. Morant had 15 in the half for the Grizzlies.
Curry drained a 3-pointer and converted a four-point play during a 9-0 push as Golden State went up 55-35 with 6:53 left in the half for its largest advantage of the game.