Grizzlies vs Warriors Free Pick, NBA Free Picks, NBA Predictions 4/15/25
- J.A. Cavalier
- Apr 15
- 3 min read
MEMPHIS @ GOLDEN STATE (GSW -7.5, 229.5)
NBA ODDS, NBA PREDICTIONS, NBA PREVIEWS
GRIZZLIES @ WARRIORS 4/15/25
In an effort to secure a spot in the top six of the Western Conference playoffs, the Golden State Warriors acquired Jimmy Butler during the trade deadline. Although Butler had the right effect, Golden State failed to meet its objective and was sent to the play-in tournament. Tonight in San Francisco, the seventh-seeded Warriors will take the difficult route into the postseason when they play the eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies. The winner will face the Houston Rockets, who are ranked second in the Western Conference, in the first round of the playoffs.
After the deal to acquire Butler from the Miami Heat, the Warriors went 23-7 in his games. Despite all of that success, Golden State was not guaranteed a spot in the top six in the Western Conference. The Warriors (48-34) lost out to the Minnesota Timberwolves, who finished sixth, by one game.
Due to having to play the Grizzlies (48-34) and potentially a second game in the play-in round, Golden State also forfeits the opportunity to rest and recover. That is not a problem, veteran forward Draymond Green stated. Nevertheless, the Warriors are counting on Stephen Curry, 37, Butler, 35, and Green, 35, to help them reach the postseason.
Butler settled in well with Golden State after arguing with almost everyone in the Miami Heat organization. He averaged 17.9 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.5 rebounds. Following team-best averages of 24.5 points and 6.0 assists, Curry is undoubtedly not getting any younger. For the sixth time in his career, he topped 300 threes with 311 three-pointers. In a single season, only four other players have reached 300.
One significant issue is that the Warriors only managed three offensive rebounds and were outscored 42–25 by the Clippers. They now have to contend with a resilient Memphis team that aggressively crashes the boards.
With nine games remaining in the season, the Grizzlies fired coach Taylor Jenkins, and under interim coach Tuomas Iisalo, they have a 4-5 record. After the switch, Memphis won four of its next six games after losing its first three.
In the final game on Sunday, the Grizzlies defeated the Dallas Mavericks 132-97 at home. Leading the way with a career-high 31 points was Lamar Stevens.
This season, the Warriors defeated the Grizzlies three times, winning by five, eight, and nine points. The only game of the season series in which Butler played was the 134-125 victory on April 1. Curry scored 52 points. Memphis also made a franchise-high 27 3-pointers on Dec. 19, crushing visiting Golden State 144-93.
Get free NBA Picks and NBA Predictions for the top games on the weekly 2025 NBA schedule from JA Cavalier, one of the industry's premier expert NBA handicappers. J.A. Cavalier has been bringing the NBA betting community the best NBA free picks and predictions for nearly three decades. Visit daily for the best NBA moneyline and run line odds and game totals.
COACH RICK FREE PICK:
JIMMY BUTLER OVER 0.5 THREE-POINTERS
Butler has been a key to the Warriors playoff run. He has hit at least one three in 13 of his last 16 games and 15 of his last 20. He’s also hit at least one in each of his last three games against Memphis. The Grizzlies are one of the weaker defenses in the NBA and they allow 14 three-pointers per game.
