Don't expect to see much of Golden State's superstars tonight in Memphis. The Warriors are looking ahead to the playoffs after locking up top spot in the West.
Really nothing on the line Wednesday night when Golden State visits Memphis to close the regular-season schedules for both.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
It would be surprising if Warriors coach Steve Kerr plays stars Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and DeMarcus Cousins much if at all on Wednesday in Memphis with the Warriors having locked up the West’s top seed. Simply no reason to risk injury for Kerr, especially in the second of a back-to-back.
Memphis will miss the playoffs for a second straight season and a loss might actually improve the team’s chances a bit of winning this summer’s draft lottery. Of course, the Grizzlies kick-started their rebuild around the trade deadline by sending Marc Gasol to Toronto. While the Raptors would surely do that deal again, the Grizzlies are thrilled with what they’ve seen of Delon Wright and Jonas Valanciunas, although Valanciunas has been shut down for the season with a right ankle sprain.
Golden State looks for the four-game season sweep of Memphis, winning the first three each by at least 15 points. Durant is averaging 24.3 points vs. the Grizzlies, Curry 22.3 and Thompson 18.7. Mike Conley is averaging 15.5 points and 6.5 assists vs. the Warriors but surely won’t play Wednesday.
The home team is 5-2 against the spread in the past seven meetings. The total has gone under in five of those seven.
Golden State Warriors
Golden State will open the playoffs at home this weekend against the Thunder, Spurs or Clippers. The Warriors are -385 favourites at Sports Interaction to win another Western Conference title and -250 for a fourth NBA crown in the past five years. The Dubs won their sixth in a row Tuesday, 112-103 in New Orleans. Durant and Thompson sat out, and Curry left with a mild foot sprain so there’s zero chance he plays Wednesday. Golden State should set a franchise record for made three-pointers in a season. That is 1,077 in 2015-16. The team has 1,074. This probably will be Cousins’ final regular-season game in a Warriors uniform as he is expected to sign elsewhere as a free agent this summer. Could be Durant’s too (again, very unlikely he actually takes the court) as he has been linked to the Knicks in free agency. Golden State has covered just one of its past 10 in the second of a back-to-back.
Memphis Grizzlies
Other than perhaps Wright for Raptors fans, the Grizzlies’ lineup these days is quite anonymous with the likes of Conley, Valanciunas, Kyle Anderson, Avery Bradley, C.J. Miles (also came over from Toronto in Gasol deal) and good-looking rookie Jaren Jackson Jr. all out injured. The starting five in Tuesday’s 100-93 loss in Detroit was Wright, Tyler Dorsey, Justin Holiday, Bruno Caboclo and Tyler Zeller. That group probably couldn’t win a G-League title. Because of injuries, trades, etc., 28 different players have appeared in a game for the Grizzlies this season, trying a franchise record. Per usual, the Grizzlies are a good defensive team, but they rank last in the NBA in scoring at 103.2 ppg. Memphis is 3-14 ATS in its past 17 in the second of a back-to-back.
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 10 Apr 2:17pm | GS | -6 -110 | O +216 -110 |
| Closing 10 Apr 11:20pm | GS | -5.5 -110 | O +214.5 -110 |
Injuries
Kevon Looney (C)
Kevon Looney (C)
Andre Iguodala (SF)
Shaun Livingston (PG)
Andre Iguodala (SF)
Kevon Looney (C)
Andre Iguodala (SF)
Shaun Livingston (PG)
Draymond Green (PF)
DeMarcus Cousins (C)
Chandler Parsons (SF)
Jonas Valanciunas (C)
Mike Conley (PG)
Chandler Parsons (SF)
Jonas Valanciunas (C)
Mike Conley (PG)
Mike Conley (PG)
Joakim Noah (C)
Mike Conley (PG)
Avery Bradley (SG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevon Looney (C) | Prob Thurs | Collarbone - 11 / 06 / 19 | 0-1 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Looney is expected to play in Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Raptors despite leaving the last game after aggravating his right first costal cartilage non-displaced fracture. |
|||||
| Kevon Looney (C) | Ques Fri | Collarbone - 02 / 06 / 19 | 1-3 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Looney suffered a right first costal cartilage non-displaced fracture to his collarbone and it is unknown if he will return against the Raptors in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. |
|||||
| Andre Iguodala (SF) | Prob Sun | Calf - 31 / 05 / 19 | 1-3 | 4-2 | + - |
|
Iguodala is nursing left calf soreness but it is likely he will play against the Raptors in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. |
|||||
| Shaun Livingston (PG) | Prob Thurs | Knee - 27 / 05 / 19 | 1-3 | 4-2 | + - |
|
Livingston is expected to play against the Raptors in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite a sore left knee. |
|||||
| Andre Iguodala (SF) | Prob Thurs | Calf - 19 / 05 / 19 | 2-4 | 5-3 | + - |
|
Iguodala is dealing with tightness in his left calf but is expected to be available for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Raptors. |
|||||
| Kevon Looney (C) | Prob Thurs | Knee - 15 / 05 / 19 | 4-4 | 6-4 | + - |
|
Looney is likely to partake in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals against the Trail Blazers despite left knee soreness. |
|||||
| Andre Iguodala (SF) | Prob Wed | Knee - 07 / 05 / 19 | 4-7 | 7-5-1 | + - |
|
Iguodala has a hyperextended left knee but is expected to play in Game 5 of the Western Conference second round against the Rockets. |
|||||
| Shaun Livingston (PG) | Prob Wed | Hip - 07 / 05 / 19 | 4-7 | 7-5-1 | + - |
|
Livingston is battling soreness in his left hip but is likely to suit up against the Rockets in Game 5 of the Western Conference second round. |
|||||
| Draymond Green (PF) | Prob Wed | Wrist - 21 / 04 / 19 | 7-10 | 11-7-1 | + - |
|
Green is nursing a right wrist injury but is projected to suit up against the Clippers in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round. |
|||||
| DeMarcus Cousins (C) | Prob Thurs | Quadricep - 16 / 04 / 19 | 8-11 | 12-8-1 | + - |
|
Cousins will be available for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Raptors after recovering from a tear in his left quadriceps. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chandler Parsons (SF) | Out Wed | Knee - 10 / 04 / 19 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Parsons is dealing with left knee soreness and will not play against the Warriors on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Jonas Valanciunas (C) | out for season | Ankle - 01 / 04 / 19 | 3-3 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Valanciunas is likely to miss the remainder of the season due to a Grade 2 right ankle sprain. |
|||||
| Mike Conley (PG) | Out Wed | Ankle - 31 / 03 / 19 | 3-4 | 4-3 | + - |
|
Conley has been held out of the previous five games with soreness in his left ankle and will not return to action against the Warriors on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Chandler Parsons (SF) | day-to-day | Illness - 31 / 03 / 19 | 3-4 | 4-3 | + - |
|
Parsons is ailing from an illness but the symptoms will likely subside in time for Sunday's game against the Clippers. |
|||||
| Jonas Valanciunas (C) | Prob Sat | Abdominal - 29 / 03 / 19 | 3-4 | 4-3 | + - |
|
Valanciunas is experiencing abdominal soreness but is expected to be in the lineup against the Suns on Saturday. |
|||||
| Mike Conley (PG) | Prob Wed | Thigh - 25 / 03 / 19 | 4-5 | 5-4 | + - |
|
Conley was held out of the last game due to a sore left thigh but it is not expected to impede his status for Wednesday's tilt versus the Warriors. |
|||||
| Mike Conley (PG) | Prob Sat | Undisclosed - 23 / 03 / 19 | 5-5 | 6-4 | + - |
|
Conley is dealing with general soreness but is likely to be available for Saturday's matchup with the Timberwolves. |
|||||
| Joakim Noah (C) | Out indefinitely | Knee - 22 / 03 / 19 | 6-5 | 7-4 | + - |
|
Noah has been idle with soreness in his right knee and there is no timetable for return. |
|||||
| Mike Conley (PG) | Prob Sat | Rest - 21 / 03 / 19 | 6-5 | 7-4 | + - |
|
Conley sat out the previous game as he received a day of rest. He is expected to return to the lineup on Saturday versus the Timberwolves. |
|||||
| Avery Bradley (SG) | Mid April | Shin - 19 / 03 / 19 | 6-6 | 8-4 | + - |
|
Bradley is dealing with a right shin contusion and is expected to be held out of the lineup until at least the middle of April. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 10 Apr 2:17pm GS -6 -110 O +216 -110 Closing 10 Apr 11:20pm GS -5.5 -110 O +214.5 -110 -
Injuries
Kevon Looney (C)
Prob Thurs Collarbone - 11 / 06 / 19Kevon Looney (C)
Ques Fri Collarbone - 02 / 06 / 19Andre Iguodala (SF)
Prob Sun Calf - 31 / 05 / 19Shaun Livingston (PG)
Prob Thurs Knee - 27 / 05 / 19Andre Iguodala (SF)
Prob Thurs Calf - 19 / 05 / 19Kevon Looney (C)
Prob Thurs Knee - 15 / 05 / 19Andre Iguodala (SF)
Prob Wed Knee - 07 / 05 / 19Shaun Livingston (PG)
Prob Wed Hip - 07 / 05 / 19Draymond Green (PF)
Prob Wed Wrist - 21 / 04 / 19DeMarcus Cousins (C)
Prob Thurs Quadricep - 16 / 04 / 19Chandler Parsons (SF)
Out Wed Knee - 10 / 04 / 19Jonas Valanciunas (C)
out for season Ankle - 01 / 04 / 19Mike Conley (PG)
Out Wed Ankle - 31 / 03 / 19Chandler Parsons (SF)
day-to-day Illness - 31 / 03 / 19Jonas Valanciunas (C)
Prob Sat Abdominal - 29 / 03 / 19Mike Conley (PG)
Prob Wed Thigh - 25 / 03 / 19Mike Conley (PG)
Prob Sat Undisclosed - 23 / 03 / 19Joakim Noah (C)
Out indefinitely Knee - 22 / 03 / 19Mike Conley (PG)
Prob Sat Rest - 21 / 03 / 19Avery Bradley (SG)
Mid April Shin - 19 / 03 / 19Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Kevon Looney (C) Prob Thurs Collarbone - 11 / 06 / 19 0-1 0-2 + - Looney is expected to play in Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Raptors despite leaving the last game after aggravating his right first costal cartilage non-displaced fracture.
Kevon Looney (C) Ques Fri Collarbone - 02 / 06 / 19 1-3 3-2 + - Looney suffered a right first costal cartilage non-displaced fracture to his collarbone and it is unknown if he will return against the Raptors in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Andre Iguodala (SF) Prob Sun Calf - 31 / 05 / 19 1-3 4-2 + - Iguodala is nursing left calf soreness but it is likely he will play against the Raptors in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
Shaun Livingston (PG) Prob Thurs Knee - 27 / 05 / 19 1-3 4-2 + - Livingston is expected to play against the Raptors in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite a sore left knee.
Andre Iguodala (SF) Prob Thurs Calf - 19 / 05 / 19 2-4 5-3 + - Iguodala is dealing with tightness in his left calf but is expected to be available for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Raptors.
Kevon Looney (C) Prob Thurs Knee - 15 / 05 / 19 4-4 6-4 + - Looney is likely to partake in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals against the Trail Blazers despite left knee soreness.
Andre Iguodala (SF) Prob Wed Knee - 07 / 05 / 19 4-7 7-5-1 + - Iguodala has a hyperextended left knee but is expected to play in Game 5 of the Western Conference second round against the Rockets.
Shaun Livingston (PG) Prob Wed Hip - 07 / 05 / 19 4-7 7-5-1 + - Livingston is battling soreness in his left hip but is likely to suit up against the Rockets in Game 5 of the Western Conference second round.
Draymond Green (PF) Prob Wed Wrist - 21 / 04 / 19 7-10 11-7-1 + - Green is nursing a right wrist injury but is projected to suit up against the Clippers in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round.
DeMarcus Cousins (C) Prob Thurs Quadricep - 16 / 04 / 19 8-11 12-8-1 + - Cousins will be available for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Raptors after recovering from a tear in his left quadriceps.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Chandler Parsons (SF) Out Wed Knee - 10 / 04 / 19 1-0 0-1 + - Parsons is dealing with left knee soreness and will not play against the Warriors on Wednesday.
Jonas Valanciunas (C) out for season Ankle - 01 / 04 / 19 3-3 3-3 + - Valanciunas is likely to miss the remainder of the season due to a Grade 2 right ankle sprain.
Mike Conley (PG) Out Wed Ankle - 31 / 03 / 19 3-4 4-3 + - Conley has been held out of the previous five games with soreness in his left ankle and will not return to action against the Warriors on Wednesday.
Chandler Parsons (SF) day-to-day Illness - 31 / 03 / 19 3-4 4-3 + - Parsons is ailing from an illness but the symptoms will likely subside in time for Sunday's game against the Clippers.
Jonas Valanciunas (C) Prob Sat Abdominal - 29 / 03 / 19 3-4 4-3 + - Valanciunas is experiencing abdominal soreness but is expected to be in the lineup against the Suns on Saturday.
Mike Conley (PG) Prob Wed Thigh - 25 / 03 / 19 4-5 5-4 + - Conley was held out of the last game due to a sore left thigh but it is not expected to impede his status for Wednesday's tilt versus the Warriors.
Mike Conley (PG) Prob Sat Undisclosed - 23 / 03 / 19 5-5 6-4 + - Conley is dealing with general soreness but is likely to be available for Saturday's matchup with the Timberwolves.
Joakim Noah (C) Out indefinitely Knee - 22 / 03 / 19 6-5 7-4 + - Noah has been idle with soreness in his right knee and there is no timetable for return.
Mike Conley (PG) Prob Sat Rest - 21 / 03 / 19 6-5 7-4 + - Conley sat out the previous game as he received a day of rest. He is expected to return to the lineup on Saturday versus the Timberwolves.
Avery Bradley (SG) Mid April Shin - 19 / 03 / 19 6-6 8-4 + - Bradley is dealing with a right shin contusion and is expected to be held out of the lineup until at least the middle of April.