Golden State Warriors vs Memphis Grizzlies Picks and Predictions April 15th 2025

Warriors vs. Grizzlies: West Play-In Battle for the 7th Seed

The Golden State Warriors had their eyes on a top-six seed in the Western Conference when they traded for Jimmy Butler at the deadline. And why not? The move paid off fast. The Dubs went 23-7 with Butler in the lineup. But it still wasn’t enough.

They finished 48-34, just one game shy of leapfrogging Minnesota for the No. 6 seed. Now, the Warriors find themselves in the NBA Play-In Tournament for a shot at playoff redemption. Up first: the Memphis Grizzlies, also 48-34.

Winner gets the No. 7 seed and a first-round series against the surging Houston Rockets.

Despite missing out on rest and the luxury of an early playoff ticket, Draymond Green is unfazed. “We’re not senior citizens,” he said after the Warriors’ OT loss to the Clippers. “We’ve been training all year for this.”

And that training will come in handy—especially as the team leans on Stephen Curry (37), Butler (35), and Green (35) to lead the way.

For more expert takes on the Warriors’ postseason outlook, check out the NBA Expert Betting Guide.

Veterans vs. Grit: Can Experience Outlast Hustle?

After some rocky moments with the Miami Heat, Jimmy Butler has found his groove in the Bay Area. Since joining Golden State, he’s been steady:

• 17.9 points
• 5.9 assists
• 5.5 rebounds

And while Butler adds grit, Curry keeps dazzling. He leads the team with 24.5 points and 6.0 assists per game and hit 311 threes this season—making him just the fifth player ever to hit 300+ threes more than once.

Want to see how Curry stacks up across the league? Visit the NBA Team Page.

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Rebounding Remains a Major Concern

Golden State’s biggest issue heading into the play-in? Rebounding. They were outrebounded 42-25 by the Clippers and snagged just 3 offensive boards. And now, they’ll have to deal with a Memphis team that crashes the glass with purpose.

As Curry put it: “If we secure rebounds and get out in transition, that’s when we’re at our best.” That’ll be the blueprint against a bigger, more physical Memphis squad.

Check out more playoff insights from the NBA Odds Page.

Memphis Making Noise Despite Coaching Chaos

The Grizzlies had a rough shake near the end of the season, firing coach Taylor Jenkins with just nine games left. Interim coach Tuomas Iisalo took over, and though Memphis dropped the first three under his watch, they won four of their final six—including a dominant 132-97 win over Dallas to close the regular season.

One big bright spot? Lamar Stevens, who exploded for a career-high 31 points in that win. He said the team is ready to embrace the underdog role: “We got a big chip on our shoulder… we’re just excited to go there and play our game.”

For how Memphis stacks up in the conference race, visit the NBA Western Conference blog.

Season Series Recap: Warriors Hold the Edge

Golden State won 3 of 4 matchups against Memphis this season, including a 134-125 shootout where Curry dropped 52 points—the only game Butler played against the Grizzlies.

Still, don’t forget the outlier: back in December, Memphis torched Golden State 144-93, hitting a franchise-record 27 threes. It’s proof that the Grizzlies can light it up when they’re on.

Keep tabs on upcoming playoff matchups via the NBA Picks Page.

What Comes Next?

Tuesday’s winner advances to play the No. 2 seed Houston Rockets. The loser? They’re not done yet. They’ll get one more shot on Friday, facing the winner of the 9 vs. 10 game in the West.

This play-in format doesn’t just raise the stakes—it turns every game into a make-or-break showdown.

For full playoff bracket projections, swing by the NBA Odds & Predictions section.