The Memphis Grizzlies stunned the league when they fired head coach Taylor Jenkins with less than a month left in the NBA regular season. Speculation has run rampant regarding why Jenkins was shown the door, especially considering he has been one of the most reliable coaches of this decade in the NBA. Coincidentally, Ja Morant returned from injury just after Jenkins was let go, and the Grizzlies are now fully focused on the upcoming NBA playoffs.
Across the court, the Golden State Warriors have been on fire since picking up Jimmy Butler at the NBA trade deadline, with his partnership alongside Stephen Curry in the backcourt continuing to thrive. The Memphis Grizzlies are currently a single game ahead of the Golden State Warriors for fifth place in the Western Conference, and the importance of this matchup cannot be overemphasized.
The NBA play-in tournament is something both of these teams will desperately want to avoid, and the Grizzlies 4-6 record in their last ten games has seen them start to slip down the standings. Will Morant and Jared Jackson Jr. be able to rally the team around new coach Tuomas Iiaslo, or will the Warriors’ dominant backcourt lead them to another signature victory?
Matchup: Warriors vs Grizzlies Overview
- Teams: Golden State Warriors at Memphis Grizzlies
- Date: Tuesday, April 1st, 2025
- Time: Tip-off is at 8:00 PM EST (7:00 PM local time)
- Venue: FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee
Win Probabilities:
The NBA win probabilities have struggled to separate these two teams, but they have given a slight edge to Memphis at home, with a 51.45% chance to win this game. The Grizzlies have been strong on their home court this season, which is the main reason they are favored to win. Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors, who are pushing for another NBA championship, have a 48.55% chance to win on the road.
Projected Final Score:
The projected final score has been calculated based on insights from recent NBA games combined with expert predictions. For the upcoming matchup between the Warriors and the Grizzlies, the projected final score is: Memphis Grizzlies 118-117 Golden State Warriors.
Warriors vs Grizzlies Odds
The NBA odds leave little to separate these two teams, as both franchises will feel confident that their healthy rosters can secure a crucial win at this point in the season. The Grizzlies have the advantage of home court, but the Warriors’ strong play over the past month ensures this will be far from an easy victory.
Expert Prediction: Who Wins?
Why the Golden State Warriors Could Win
The Golden State Warriors have won seven of their last ten games and show no signs of slowing down at this stage of the season. Their ability to outscore their defensive shortcomings has been their strategy for the last decade, and their wide variety of options on the offensive end makes them incredibly difficult to contain. All eyes will be on Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler in the open court, but another unsung hero has helped propel the Warriors up the NBA standings.
Draymond Green is the odds-on favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year this season after Victor Wembanyama’s injury left him ineligible for the award. Green has always overcome his lack of physical gifts with an incredible basketball IQ, allowing him to remain highly effective even at 35 years old. Green can clog the paint against towering big men, and he’ll have his hands full against the dominant Jaren Jackson Jr. in this matchup.
The Golden State Warriors haven’t been at their best away from home this season, but this is a game they cannot afford to drop if they want to keep their chances of securing home-court advantage in any playoff round. Curry and Butler have the potential to outduel Morant and the Grizzlies on the road, but this game feels like it will come down to the final possession. Be cautious about laying too many points with your NBA predictions.
Why the Memphis Grizzlies Could Win
The Memphis Grizzlies have had an eventful week, but it is time to focus on the task at hand. While the reasons behind Jenkins’ firing as head coach may never be fully understood, there’s still a talented team ready to challenge for a title this season. Morant, who coincidentally returned from a nagging injury the day after Jenkins was fired, has given the Grizzlies new life. Morant and towering big man Jaren Jackson Jr. are the leaders of this team on both ends of the court, and the Grizzlies will need their star players to step up against a talented Warriors squad.
Memphis does a great job controlling the glass and loves to push the pace of play, especially on their home court. The Warriors thrive on offensive rebounding opportunities, but those will be hard to come by in Memphis. The Grizzlies are the more physical team inside and won’t have to worry about a hostile crowd at home. The coaching change, combined with a seemingly healthy Grizzlies lineup, has tilted the court in their favor for this matchup.
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