The Memphis Grizzlies have forced a Game 6 back in San Francisco tonight, but on the road and without their best player again, the Grizzlies are +8 underdogs in the NBA odds board against the Golden State Warriors.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors
Friday, May 13, 2022 – 10:00 PM EDT at Chase Center
Grizzlies vs. Warriors Series Recap
I mentioned this in my last NBA Underdog of the Day article about this series, but now two straight games without Ja Morant and the Grizzlies are 1-1 and probably could be 2-0 SU. The Grizzlies are not better overall without Morant, but they are a different team that is still very dangerous. They have one of the best backup point guards in the NBA in Tyus Jones and they play tougher defense.
We’ve seen that in Game 4 where they almost won and held Golden State to just 100 points and then we definitely saw it in Game 5 where “Whoop That Trick,” was in full rotation by the sound production team in Memphis.
How to Bet on the Underdog Grizzlies?
So, the question is, should we continue riding this Grizzlies team due to the utter disrespect the sportsbooks have put on their NBA odds or is this the game where the NBA Championship favorites come to play and prove why the sportsbooks favor them heavily to win it all? I think it’s probably a little column A and B, but overall I’m on the dogs for the third game in a row.
The Warriors definitely don’t want a Game 7 in Memphis, so getting their best effort here is almost a lock. The issue is I don’t know if it will be enough, at least for the first half.
This full game spread is a big one, but the first half spread is my NBA underdog of the day at +5. While I do think Golden State wins this game and I also think it’s very possible they blow the Grizzlies out, the first half should stay competitive.
Underdog Betting Pick
Across 11 playoff games, the Grizzlies have been the second-best 1st half defensive team. Even their 1H defense away from Memphis has been solid, holding the Wolves and Warriors to 106 points per 100 possessions in five road games.
Golden State on the other hand has been outplayed in the first halves of this series and during the playoffs. They have a -13.2 first-half net rating during this series and a -3.7 first-half net rating across 10 playoff games. It shouldn’t surprise you to learn they are +9.6 in second halves and +19.9 in playoff fourth quarters.
Simply put, I think the trend of Golden State playing with their food continues here. They are at home, they have the 3-2 series lead, the opposing team is missing their best player, and the law of averages dictates their shooting is due for a massive improvement tonight at home.
All of these things scare me off the full game spread, but as far as underdogs go, +5 points for 24 minutes of basketball is the best underdog value on the board tonight. The Grizz won’t go quietly into the night early in the game.
NBA Pick: Grizzlies 1st Half +5 (-110) with BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
