Western Conference giants the Memphis Grizzlies and the Golden State Warriors will set out to continue their hunt for a guaranteed playoff spot when they lock horns at FedExForum on Wednesday.
The home side are undergoing a rough patch at the moment, having lost five of their last six matches, while the visitors will make the journey in search of a third straight victory.
Match preview
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As unpredictable as the basketball world is, firing a coach in the penultimate week of the regular season is usually a rare occurrence, but the Memphis Grizzlies sent shockwaves around the league with their decision to part ways with Taylor Jenkins.
Having taken the reins in 2019, Jenkins was one of the league's longest-serving active coaches at a particular franchise and was on course to lead his side to a fourth playoff appearance in the last five years.
While the exact reason for Jenkins's dismissal remains uncertain, one thing that is sure is the Grizzlies are in need of a pick-me-up off the back of Sunday's 134-127 defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers in Tuomas Iisalo's first outing as interim boss.
A slow start to the contest left the Grizzlies with an 11-point deficit to make up at half time, and despite managing to reduce that gap by eight in the third quarter, they were unable to sustain their fightback attempt down the stretch.
However, for the first time since late February, the Grizzlies managed to have three starters in double digits for points in the game as Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr and Ja Morant tallied 29, 24 and 22 respectively.
Now 1-5 over their last six games, the Grizzlies are fifth in the Western Conference, and any more slip-ups from here on out could see them having to settle for a play-in spot as opposed to securing automatic qualification for the postseason.
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Putting up their second-highest points of the campaign and the most since October's curtain-raiser against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Golden State Warriors ran riot en route to a 148-106 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Monday.
Steve Kerr's men wasted no time taking charge of proceedings, as a 44-point first-quarter display put them in the driving seat with a 17-point advantage, which formed the basis for an emphatic triumph at Frost Bank Center.
The Warriors fielded both Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler, but it was a surprise name who led them in scoring, as Brandin Podziemski notched a game-high 27 points while also becoming the second-youngest player in franchise history to knock down 7+ three-pointers in a game, only behind Curry in 2010.
Curry and Butler did not have the best of outings, combining for just 26 points, but they are now 17-2 in matches played together since the latter's arrival from the Miami Heat just before the February trade deadline elapsed.
Currently fifth in the West and just one win behind their next opponents, the Warriors have the opportunity to leapfrog the Grizzlies, although their record in Tennessee does not make for good reading following six defeats from the last seven trips.
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Team News
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Brandon Clarke is a definite absentee for the Memphis Grizzlies here after he was recently diagnosed with a high-grade PCL strain that will rule him out for the remainder of the season.
Meanwhile, Zyon Pullin could also miss out for the home side with a knee problem, having already been ruled out of tomorrow's clash against the Boston Celtics.
Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II is set for a fairly lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a torn ligament he suffered in his left thumb last Wednesday.
Jonathan Kuminga lasted just seven minutes against the Spurs last time out as he had to come off with right ankle soreness, making him a huge doubt for the away side here.
Memphis Grizzlies possible starting five:
Morant, Bane; Wells, Jackson Jr; Edey
Golden State Warriors possible starting five:
Curry, Moody; Podziemski, Butler; Green
We say: Warriors to win by 5+ points
There has barely been a good time to play the Grizzlies this season, like now, as they look to find their feet once again following a tough run of results.
We are backing the Warriors to take advantage of their hosts' recent struggles and come away with a crucial win.
Adepoju Marvellous
