Memphis Hosts Golden State With Series Tied 1-1

The Memphis Grizzlies host the Golden State Warriors in Game 3 of their best of seven NBA Western Conference semifinals series. Golden State is favored in the game by 4 points while the over/under is sitting on 196.5.

The series has shifted to FedEx Forum as the two teams split the first two games at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. Golden State opened the series with a strong win at home, but Memphis came back to take home court advantage with a 97-90 win in Game 2.

The catalyst for the Grizzlies in Game 2 was Mike Conley their point guard. Just 8 days off facial surgery, Conley donned a plastic protective mask and scored 22 points, while lifting the spirits and emotions of his entire team on his own.

Zach Randolph scored 20 points for the Grizzlies while Marc Gasol and Courtney Lee added 15 apiece. The Grizzlies defense came to life in Game 2 holding the Warriors to 6 for 26 from 3-point range and kept the tempo of the game slower, which is to their liking.

Golden State was led in Game 2 by Stephen Curry’s 19 points, but he hit just 7 of his 19 shots on the night. Klay Thompson had even a worse night offensively. He missed running shots, jump shots, layups and even a dunk. He finished with 13 points hitting just 6 of 15 from the field.

Golden State was up-tempo in Game 1 with nearly every shot they wanted given to them. However, with the additional of Conley, the Grizzlies added an elite defender on the perimeter. Tony Allen was responsible for much of Thompson’s poor play on offense for Golden State. Allen was in Thompson’s face when he did not have the ball and as soon as the ball was in his hands.

The Grizzlies were able to force Golden State into 20 turnovers in Game 2.

Memphis is 4-0-1 ATS over its past five games at home and 7-2-1 against the number over its past 10 games. Golden State is 6-0 ATS over its past six games playing on three days or more of rest and just 2-7 against the number over its past 9 games overall.

Head to head, the visiting team is 11-5 against the spread in the past 16 games, while the favorite has covered the number in 5 of the past 6 games between the two teams.

With Conley in the lineup the Grizzlies are a much better club, but the Warriors should bounce back to take back home court advantage in this game.

Pick: Warriors 106-104