Sorry Kobe, but all eyes will be on the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night when they go for the NBA record for wins in a season. All the Dubs have to do to rewrite the league’s record book is beat the Memphis Grizzlies, a team that played in Los Angeles on Tuesday night.
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LOOK AHEAD
Warriors star Stephen Curry says the team is determined to forge their place in NBA history by clinching a record-breaking 73rd regular season victory Wednesday night against Memphis. Golden State stands on the threshold of immortality after knocking off San Antonio on Sunday, which saw them equal the 1995-96 Bulls mark of 72 wins. Curry said the Warriors are now determined to finish the job in Oakland – even if the priority remains a successful defense of their NBA crown.
With all the talk of how great the Warriors are and their quest for the league wins record, it’s easy to forget that they still have to play a game and the Grizzlies definitely don’t want to be the answer to a trivia question. Memphis, despite its makeshift lineup, gave the Warriors a scare on Saturday before falling 100-99. The Griz also have the memory of a 50-point loss from Nov. 2 at Oracle that they would like to completely erase.
INJURIES
Add guard Tony Allen to Memphis’ list of injured players. Allen missed Saturday’s game with Golden State due to a sore left hamstring and is questionable heading into the Grizzlies season-ending back-to-back set. There was a bit of good news on the injury front with guard P.J. Hairston returning to the lineup after missing 11 games with a groin injury.
The Warriors are all in as they go for the NBA record for wins in a season. The only way regulars will get some down time is if the Dubs are up big or down big. The former is a more likely scenario.
KEY MATCHUP
Draymond Green is the ultimate competitor and that’s driven him to lead his Warriors teammates to the verge of history. It’s easy to see Golden State as Curry’s team, he leads the NBA in scoring, knocks down ridiculous shots like he’s been doing if his entire life and is, after all, the face of the franchise. But if not for Green’s dirty work, the Warriors wouldn’t be knocking on the door of greatness. Basketball is a team game; five players on the court working together as a single unit for the success of the franchise. Some players, most notably one that is retiring after this season, have a difficult time grasping that concept. Not Green. Not the Warriors. Green is the guy who urged coach Steve Kerr to let the players go for the record. They were, after all, so close. He’s done his part this season with much less fanfare than that of his Splash Brother mates. And that’s fine with Green. He’ll continue to add his 14.0 points per game, 9.5 rebounds and 7.4 assists, along with all the other gritty stuff he provides. And one thing he won’t do is allow the Warriors to share the record for wins in a season.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
To come so close and not get the league record for wins would almost be considered a failure for the Warriors. A few weeks back with the best record and homecourt advantage through the playoffs secured, Golden State could’ve taken the approach many other clubs did. The opportunity to rest some regulars and decrease the risk of injury was there. But the Dubs said no way. They were going to go for it. And here they are one win away from immortality. It’s hard to imagine the Warriors losing this game after blasting through the regular season, winning for the first time in 33 regular season tries in San Antonio on Sunday to keep the record alive. Now the Grizzlies are the only ones standing in their way. Golden State will not be denied.
NBA Odds: Golden State 114, Memphis 100
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Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! Bet on the NBA today as the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors square off Wednesday, April 13, 2016, at 10:30 p.m. ET at Oracle Arena. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN.
