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Warriors seek 17th straight win Tuesday at Grizzlies
By: Zach Cohen - StatFox
Published: 12/16/2014  at  6:34:00 AM
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GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (21-2)

at MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (19-4)

Tip-off: Tuesday, 8:05 p.m. ET
Line: Memphis -2.5, Total: 202

Two red-hot teams collide on Tuesday night when the Warriors visit the Grizzlies.

Golden State is the hottest team in the league so far, winning its 16th straight game in a 128-122 overtime victory on the road against the Pelicans on Sunday. The Warriors are an outstanding 16-6-1 ATS on the season, including 10-3-1 ATS on the road. Meanwhile, Memphis won its fourth straight game in a 120-115 overtime victory at Philadelphia on Saturday. Golden State has won-and-covered in the past two meetings between these two teams, including a 100-93 victory as 2.5-point favorites in the most recent meeting on March 28. Prior to that game, the Grizzlies had won nine straight games SU when hosting in this series. Over the past three seasons, the Warriors are 25-11 ATS after a road game where both teams scored 100 or more points. They are also 10-3 ATS after scoring 105+ points in three straight games in that time. The Grizzlies, however, are 15-5 ATS after three or more consecutive Overs in the past three seasons. They’re also 17-7 ATS after scoring 100+ points in two straight games in that time. PF David Lee (hamstring) and C Andrew Bogut (knee) are both out for the Warriors in this game, but there are no other significant injuries for either squad.

Can the Grizzlies finally put an end to the Warriors' amazing win streak? For the answer, connect to The Platinum Sheet for all the Expert picks throughout the entire 2014-15 season. While StatFox Forecaster has a stellar 61% ATS record (68-43) in featured games this season, the five experts have also caught fire with a collective 71% ATS mark (41-17-2) in NBA Best Bets since Nov. 29. StatFox Brian is 12-1 ATS during this timeframe to give him a 63% ATS record (22-13) in NBA Best Bets this season, while StatFox Gary is 10-2 ATS since Nov. 29 to improve to 63% ATS (22-13) in NBA Best Bets this season. Also during this surge, StatFox Dave is 8-3-1 ATS and StatFox Scott is 7-5 ATS.

The Warriors have been dominant this season and now they’ll look to pick up their 17th straight victory against another one of the West’s elite teams in Memphis. One problem the team could have is that it will be without C Andrew Bogut (7.1 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.2 BPG), who is a huge part of what the team does defensively. Without Bogut, the Warriors could really struggle to defend a really talented Memphis frontcourt. PG Stephen Curry (23.7 PPG, 7.7 APG, 1.8 SPG) will need to push the ball in this game, as the Warriors won’t win in a grind-it-out, half-court affair. Curry had 34 points (11-of-21 FG, 6-of-10 threes), seven rebounds and seven assists in the win over the Pelicans on Sunday and he’ll need to get hot if the Warriors are going to win this game. He has a tough matchup with Mike Conley in this one, so buckets will not come easy for the superstar. SG Klay Thompson (21.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.5 APG) will also be crucial for Golden State in this game. Thompson has scored 20+ points in seven straight contests, and with the Grizzlies not having a legitimate scoring option at the shooting guard position, he should be able to exert most of his energy on the offensive end. PF Draymond Green (13.4 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 1.2 BPG, 1.2 SPG) has been one of the league’s most improved players so far this season. Green is capable of doing a number of things on the floor, and will need to be ready to play solid defense, as he’ll be matched up against Zach Randolph in this one.

The Grizzlies have won four straight games and are looking forward to their opportunity to end the Warriors’ winning streak on Tuesday. One way they can do that would be to feed C Marc Gasol (19.4 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.7 BPG, 1.1 SPG) early and often. The Warriors will be playing without 7-footer Andrew Bogut, so they will lack their most sound defensive presence in the paint. Gasol is averaging 22.3 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 4.6 APG and 2.3 BPG over the past three contests. He is an excellent passer out of the post, so even if he is not scoring he will find a way to get his teammates open looks. PG Mike Conley (17.8 PPG, 6.3 APG, 1.1 SPG) is the guy who will really need to work hard on both ends. He is coming off of a season-high 36 points against the 76ers, but it will not be as easy for him to score on this excellent Warriors team. Golden State is allowing just 96.8 PPG (7th in NBA) and the club prides itself on its ability to stop opponents under new head coach Steve Kerr. It will also be extremely tough for Conley to chase Curry around for an entire game. PF Zach Randolph (16.2 PPG, 11.0 RPG) will be a key to this game for Memphis. Draymond Green is an excellent defender, but he does not have the size or strength to bully Randolph in the low-post. The big man should be able to get some easy buckets with Green guarding him and, like Gasol, he will find his open teammates when the Warriors come with a double-team.


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