Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 1/11/2022

Time: 8 p.m. ET

Venue: FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN

Where to watch: BSSE-MEM, NBCSBA

DraftKings: Warriors -2.5

BetMGM: Warriors -2.5

Caesars: Warriors -2.5

Warriors: 30-9 (1st place, Western Conference)

Grizzlies: 28-14 (4th place, Western Conference)

Warriors: won 96-82 vs. Cavaliers on Sunday

Grizzlies: won six straight; won 127-119 at Lakers on Sunday

Klay Thompson is back. Is the Golden State Warriors’ dynasty to follow?

These final few months are going to be interesting to answering that question, but the Warriors back atop the Western Conference standings seems like it makes sense.

But the competition the Warriors have in the Western Conference is arguably deeper than in years’ past, and that rings most true with their opponent on Tuesday, the red-hot Memphis Grizzlies. The two will meet in FedEx Forum.

Thompson made his long-awaited return after two years dealing with leg injuries and showed flashes that it’s like he never left. Thompson had 17 points in 20 minutes (on 7 of 18 shooting) in the Warriors’ 96-82 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in his first game action since the 2019 NBA Finals.

The Warriors snapped a two-game losing streak after tough road losses to the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans, the latter coming on the second night of a back-to-back. Steph Curry had 28 points against the Cavaliers, and Andrew Wiggins had 10.

Draymond Green did not play due to a calf injury.

"I was so excited I saw a lane to the basket that I just took the opportunity," Thompson said of his first shot of the game, a floater going from left to right. " After that I thought it was going to be one of those nights where I might be unconscious. I did not shoot as well as I wanted to but I'm so happy I can even look at the stat sheet and see my name there. It's been a long run. I'm not going to say it equivalent to winning a championship but it was pretty close."

Thompson’s return is the perfect jolt for a Warriors team that has been carried by the MVP-level play of Curry, who’s averaging almost 27 points per game. The Warriors were already dangerous and deep. Add a walking 20-point bucket back to the lineup and things get interesting.

But as mentioned before, Thompson comes back to a much deeper West, and the Grizzlies are in that conversation. Memphis has won six straight and are 14 games above .500 for the first time in what seems like forever.

But the new era featuring Ja Morant is as real as it gets. Don’t believe me? Look at that block one more time to get an appreciation for it. Morant finished with 16 points and seven assists, and Desmond Bane finished with a team-high 23 points for Memphis’ big-time win.

"I just got back and made an incredible play," Morant said. "I was just trying to gather the ball. Most of the time on a break like that, if you block it, they might have a player trailing to get the ball and lay it up. It worked out perfect for me. Now I'm probably all over the internet for it."

Jaren Jackson Jr. finished with 21 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks of his own. None of them were as good as snatching Avery Bradley’s soul on the backcheck.

"That's probably the best block I've ever seen live. Probably the best block I've ever seen, period," Jackson said. "That was crazy. I knew he was going to do it, too, because he always loads up right before.”

What more needs to be said, other than it’s time to get on the Ja Train?

The season series is 1-1 with both wins coming by the home team. The landmark victory of the Grizzlies’ season to this point was that first meeting in Memphis, where the Grizzlies handed the Warriors their first loss of the season. Klay’s second game, Ja on fire, what more could you want in this game? Give me the home team in a thrilling contest. Grizzlies by 3

The Warriors are 49-19 straight up as a favorite over the past three seasons.

The Warriors are 13-5 ATS this season after allowing 105 points or less in consecutive games.

The Grizzlies are 15-5 ATS this season as an underdog and 14-6 straight up.

PG: Stephen Curry

SG: Klay Thompson
SF: Andrew Wiggins
PF: Otto Porter Jr.
C: Kevon Looney

PG: Ja Morant

SG: Desmond Bane
SF: Ziaire Williams
PF: Jaren Jackson Jr.
C: Brandon Clarke

Warriors: Draymond Green (calf, out), Gary Payton II (ankle, questionable), James Wiseman (knee, out)

Grizzlies: Steven Adams (COVID, out), Dillon Brooks (ankle, out)