The second NBA play-in tournament game on Tuesday night sees the No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies hit the road to the Chase Center to battle the No. 7 Golden State Warriors with an opportunity to face the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs on the line.
Here are three expert player prop picks for your consideration concerning this matchup, including an OVER on a combination points and rebounds prop for Warriors forward Jimmy Butler (-120) on April 15, 2025.
Preview: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors, 10 p.m. ET
Jimmy Butler OVER 28.5 Points + Rebounds vs. Grizzlies (-120 at Sportsbook)
The acquisition of Jimmy Butler ahead of the trade deadline was designed purely for moments like this, not just to improve Golden State's championship ceiling, but to aid in a potential do-or-die scenario like the play-in tournament. If the last three games of the regular season are any indicator, Warriors fans should expect the best of Butler on Tuesday as he's entering this game on one of his better offensive stretches since joining the organization.
The 35-year-old veteran averaged 27.3 points and 3.3 rebounds over that run while converting 60.5 percent from the field and heading to the charity stripe 11 times per game. He went OVER 28.5 for this combination prop each occasion, as well. Golden State was still very much fighting for seeding at the time, so with so much at stake, having Butler perform up to the moment was both a telling and expected sign.
The Warriors prevailed over Memphis just a few weeks ago at the FedExForum by a score of 134-125, with Butler contributing 27 points and six rebounds in 38 minutes of action. With the six-time All-Star playing more than half of his minutes at the three spot, it's important to know that the Grizzlies rank 28th in points allowed to opposing small forwards and 22nd in rebounds allowed, according to Odds Shark's metrics.
Zach Edey OVER 10.5 Rebounds (-132 at Sportsbook)
Those who regularly follow Odds Shark's expert player prop picks know how much of a mainstay rookie Zach Edey has been as of late with his rebound props, especially after the dismissal of former head coach Taylor Jenkins. The Grizzlies center actually led all players across the Association in this department during his initial six games under Tuomas lisalo, contributing 15.7 in 30.5 minutes.
His playing time was perhaps an even more telling change, as Edey competed for 30 or more minutes three times after failing to do so even once under Jenkins. Let's hope that trend continues versus Golden State here, as it was Edey's first game with lisalo on the sidelines which came against the Warriors on April 1 in which the 7-foot-4 giant grabbed 16 rebounds and blocked four shots to boot.
There's no one on Golden State with the size to combat Edey's presence down low straight up. He could be the biggest x-factor should the home side get cold shooting the rock, therefore allowing him to clean up the glass at an efficient rate with little resistance.
Desmond Bane OVER 2.5 Made 3-Pointers (-125 at Sportsbook)
We're all aware of how lethal the Warriors can be from the perimeter, but in being so trigger happy from 3-point range, opponents can often follow suit to keep pace. With the team only ranking 19th overall in opponent's efficiency from deep on the season (36.3 percent), there's a window of opportunity for someone with the marksmanship of Desmond Bane to make a serious impact here.
Bane connected on three or more triples in five of his last six games at a 42.9-percent clip, ranking 10th overall in total 3-pointers made from April 1 through April 11 with 21 on 49 attempts. He also went OVER 2.5 makes twice out of a possible four games against Golden State, as well, most recently burying three in the aforementioned loss on April 1.
The Grizzlies' three-headed scoring attack stems from Bane, Ja Morant, and Jaren Jackson Jr. all averaging better than 20 points in the unofficial second half of the season. Bane averaged more 3-pointers than his teammates at 2.6 and also played more minutes per game at 34.6. Simply put, Memphis' chances are diminished significantly if the 26-year-old guard becomes an afterthought, which is doubtful considering the circumstances.
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