NBA 2021/22 on Wednesday, 12.01.2022
It’s the top game of the week – and not just in the Western Conference! We are talking about the rematch of the Christmas match between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Golden State Warriors.
Back then it was the Californians who left the hall as winners, but this time the situation is different. Because in my Grizzlies Warriors tip you will find out why the rebound kings of the NBA could decisively shorten the visitors’ time of possession.
By the way, Thompson reached two milestones in the 96-82 win over the Cavs! These are his 12000th career point and 1800th converted three-pointer. Still, I don’t think that’s going to happen for the visitors tonight against Memphis.
Because there is no team that is currently causing more of a stir than the Grizzlies. They are in the form of their lives. The 127-119 win over the Lakers was the ninth in a row – and thus worthy of a new franchise record!
Some of the Grizzlies’ young players are gaining confidence from their recent run of success, with Ja Morant possibly making the block of the year against none other than Lebron James yesterday!
But what is really impressive about Memphis’ series is the quality of the opponents they have recently defeated. Even absolute top teams like the Nets, Suns, Clippers and Lakers simply couldn’t cope with the concentrated power of the young savages!
What also distinguishes Head Coach’s young squad is not so much the offensive production, but rather the dominance in securing the free ball. And it is this point that could be the Warriors’ undoing tonight.
Because during the Grizzlies’ nine-game winning streak, no other team in the league has been able to secure more offensive rebounds (15.9) or defensive rebounds (36.9) than the Dark Blue, according to the NBA’s official stats site.
Memphis will not be able to shut down Stephen Curry – especially since he shone again against the Cavs – but the superiority on the board could decisively shorten the Californians’ time of possession.
After all, Golden State ranks in the bottom third of the league in both of the aforementioned rebounding categories over the same period. This lack of assertiveness in getting the ball could become a problem against such a strong team in crunch time.
The fact that Memphis is by no means the underdog in this clash is proven by the fact that the direct comparison from the last four games could not be more balanced with two wins each.
However, the Warriors won the last duel at Christmas with 113:104 – and that despite still missing Canadian Andrew Wiggins, who is back in the meantime and will be a clear upgrade tonight.
Still, I think the Grizzlies will know how to use the momentum and especially home court. Especially since eight of their last eleven NBA games have been won at FedExForum, where the young guns seem much more comfortable than away from home.
While a Warriors win is considered minimally more likely with an average of 1.80. But the difference to the Grizzlies’ win rate of about 2.05 is really marginal!
Summary: The Memphis Grizzlies not only have the longest winning streak in the NBA. This impresses even more by the quality of the defeated opponents, which includes absolute top teams such as the Nets, Suns or Clippers.
In particular, the superiority of the Dark Blues in securing the free ball stood out, which was often decisive for the game. In fact, no other team has been able to secure so many rebounds during the last nine NBA games.
It is in this category, however, that the Warriors lack the necessary punch. Stephen Curry will give the home side a run for their money from the 3-point line, but the danger is that the decisive balls will end up in the Grizzlies’ arms…
So my Grizzlies Warriors tip is: Curry strong, but in the end the hosts also take the scalp of the Californians!
