The Memphis Grizzlies didn’t go quietly, even without injured star Ja Morant, and now the Golden State Warriors have to try to close out their Western Conference semifinal series at home to avoid a Game 7.
Holding a 3-2 lead, Golden State, the No. 3 seed in the West, is -1500 at WynnBet to win the best-of-7 series against No. 2 Memphis (+850), and the Warriors are solidly favored to finish the job in Game 6.
Props.com analyzes NBA playoff odds for Grizzlies vs. Warriors Game 6. Check back for updates through Friday’s tipoff.
NBA Playoff Odds and Betting Action
No. 2 Memphis Grizzlies at No. 3 Golden State Warriors (10 p.m. ET)
UPDATE 8 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Two hours before Game 6 tips off, Golden State is laying 8 on TwinSpires Sportsbook’s Friday NBA playoff odds board. That’s down a tick from the Warriors -8 opener. The Grizzlies are taking 57% of bets and 60% of cash on the spread.
“The public is siding with the road ‘dog,” TwinSpires director of retail trading Zachary Lucas said.
The total dipped from 219.5 to 218.5 on two-way action, with 55% of bets on the Over/53% of money on the Under.
UPDATE 6 P.M. ET THURSDAY: Playing without Morant, the Grizzlies romped to a 134-95 victory at home in Game 5, cashing as 4-point underdogs and +150 on the moneyline. Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Tyus Jones had 21 points each to lead Memphis.
The Grizzlies led by 55 in the third quarter before the Warriors’ reserves shrunk the final margin. Memphis outrebounded Golden State 55-37. Klay Thompson led the Warriors with 19 points as the starters sat out the final quarter. Jordan Poole, a breakout star for Golden State in the postseason, was held to three points.
Despite trailing 3-2, the Grizzlies are 4-1 ATS in the series against the Warriors, continuing a great season at the betting window. Memphis (62-31 SU, 59-33-1 ATS) was the best ATS team in the NBA during the regular season, and the Grizzlies are 7-4 ATS in the playoffs. Memphis is 7-2 ATS (5-4 SU) against the Warriors this season, though the Grizzlies are 4-11 in their last 15 on the road against Golden State.
Morant, an All-Star and the NBA’s Most Improved Player, is doubtful to return this postseason after reaggravating a knee injury in Game 3. The good news for the Grizzlies is they are 21-6 SU without him this season, including 1-1 in this series.
Golden State (60-32 SU, 45-43-4 ATS) is on a 1-6 ATS run in the playoffs despite winning four of the games SU. The Warriors started the playoffs 3-0 SU and ATS against Denver.
Warriors forward Otto Porter Jr. (right foot soreness) is questionable for Game 6 after missing the second half of Game 5. Forward Andre Iguodala continues to be out with a neck injury, and guard Gary Payton II is out for about a month after fracturing his elbow earlier in the series.
Game 5 went Over as the totals continue to alternate with each game in the series. The Warriors are 7-3 to the Over in the playoffs, while the Grizzlies are 6-5 to the Under. The totals split 2-2 in the teams’ regular-season games this season.
The Warriors opened as 8.5-point favorites at WynnBet and have stayed there, despite 63% of bets and 72% of money on the Grizzlies. The total opened at 219.5 and has plunged to 217.5, with 67% of bets and 99% of money on the Under.
Check back prior to tipoff for additional updates on Warriors vs. Grizzlies odds and betting action.
