MediterraneanGrocery Wholesalers in Memphis, TN

One month ago, James Wiseman delivered a solid eight minutes of defense and rebounding in the Golden State Warriors’ Christmas Day win over the Memphis Grizzlies. He may get a chance to challenge the Grizzlies dynasty again Wednesday night.

James Wiseman is probable for the Warriors game against Memphis tomorrow. He's missed the last 11 games with a sprained ankle. Andre Iguodala is out.

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 24, 2023

Wiseman went through a practice on Tuesday, though the team didn’t scrimmage. He’s on pace to give the Warriors almost a full-strength roster for the rematch against Memphis, after Jonathan Kuminga and JaMychal Green returned last week.

It’s just under a month’s absence for Wiseman, after he spent a month in the G League with Santa Cruz. In between absences, he was playing about eight minutes a game, though more in blowouts, including a career-high 30 points against the Brooklyn Nets. Wiseman has become more reliable as a rebounder and rim protector since returning, but as has happened often in his three-year career, his progress was derailed by injuries.

This is obvious analysis, but Wiseman has always looked better when he has been able to get consistent playing time, whether it’s in the NBA or the G League. He really needs six boring weeks in a row playing 10-15 minutes per game where he can really figure out NBA basketball.

Golden State needs big man depth, if only to let Draymond Green and Kevon Looney steal more rest, and save Anthony Lamb’s two-way days. Wiseman was solid in the first game against Memphis, deterring players down low even though the Grizzlies shoot near the basket more than almost any other team (33.9 attempts per game within five feet of the hoop). He deserves a chance to get show he can do it against against this team, protecting the rim, and making Steven Adams work a little harder for his inevitable rebounds.

If he can continue his competent play, Wiseman could finally be a part of a winning Warriors team. Or, he could at least show enough that he’s not a negative asset at the trade deadline in two weeks.

27.5

5.5

6.5

More From Golden State Of Mind

The Memphis Grizzlies are in the middle of a moment.

Not the kind we’ve come to worry about much over the past two seasons.

When they play a game, or in this case three games in a row, and you leave with the same thought

"They still have some growing up to do."

Whether they’re willing to admit this publicly or not, it’s what they’re showing us on this latest West Coast road trip gone awry.

It helps explain how that loss to the Los Angeles Lakers happened when the Grizzlies played poorly enough to let a team without one of its best players hang around and then coughed up the lead late.

It helps explain why the Grizzlies allowed that loss to seep into a second loss at Phoenix, when they looked awful in the first half before mounting a comeback attempt that fell short.

It helps explain their first three-game losing streak since December 2021, since before they were considered bona fide contenders.

It’s also good that it’s happening right now.

FROM EARLIER THIS WEEK:Memphis Grizzlies blew it vs. Lakers, but there are more chances for history

These Grizzlies probably should have gone through more growing pains. They are what forge championship teams. They are how the flaws that have to eventually be addressed to make a playoff run are exposed. That’s the point in the season we’ve reached, two weeks out from the NBA’s trade deadline.

So of course the story will play out on national television against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night in San Francisco. So much of this group’s identity has been framed through that brewing feud.

The back-and-forth between Ja Morant and Draymond Green, everything Dillon Brooks said about Andre Iguodala, all the antics of Klay Thompson: They shaped the image and perception of these Grizzlies for the rest of the NBA and the rest of the fans outside Memphis.

The Grizzlies aren’t the most hated team in the league, contrary to what social media might suggest. There are far too many Morant jerseys in opposing arenas for that to be true. They’re just more hated than they were last season. They’re no longer the plucky team that completely confounded preseason predictions and made sure everyone knew what they were missing. They're the team that has to live up to all the talking they do.

They’re a target, perhaps more so than at any time in this franchise’s history.

It’s ultimately a nod to what they’ve accomplished already, even if they’re also struggling periodically to come to grips with the responsibility that comes with their success.

You could see it in how the whole Shannon Sharpe episode played out. You could hear it in Coach Taylor Jenkins’ voice when he said “I don’t care about a streak” after the Grizzlies’ 11-game win streak ended. You could sense it when Brooks lashed out at the refs the next game. You could feel it in how similar this road trip has become to the one over the holidays.

You know the spotlight is only going to shine brighter on them at Golden State. You know motivation won't be a factor for Memphis. You know the mood isn’t going to stay the same.

Either the Grizzlies beat the Warriors on Wednesday, and this three-game skid is largely forgotten. Or they lose, and the same perceptions from their Christmas day matchup linger.

That game, like the past three games, felt like glimpses into a theoretical future in which the Grizzlies’ season ends with a thud in the playoffs. Free throws were missed. Brooks took too many shots and Jackson took too few. The end of the rotation wasn’t effective. The 3-point disparity was too much to overcome. Their emotional immaturity was more noticeable.

Jenkins hinted before this week that the win streak might be masking some persistent concerns. He mentioned the Grizzlies were only playing well in spurts to beat bad teams. He redirected any questions that suggested Memphis was near its peak level.

But this all needed to be sorted out before the playoffs anyways. Better now, when something can be done about it. When the Grizzlies have created a situation in which they can still be one of the best teams in the league while sorting it out. When there’s still time to sort it out even if they don’t sort it out right away.

They’ve been so ahead of schedule for so long now, on such a linear path, really since Morant arrived. It’s easy to lose sight of that now, when they suddenly look their age.

The Memphis Grizzlies (31-16) play the 4th contest in a 5-game road trip against the Golden State Warriors (23-24) Wednesday. Tip-off from Chase Center is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Grizzlies vs. Warriors odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.

The Grizzlies have lost the first 3 games of their road trip and have failed to cover in each of the past 4 games overall. Memphis is 2-7 against the spread (ATS) in the past 9 games, while the Under is 3-0 in the past 3 outings.

Golden State has alternated losses and wins in the past 7 games, most recently losing 120-116 at home against the Brooklyn Nets Sunday. It also failed to cover as a 7.5-point favorite, snapping a 3-0 ATS streak. The Over is 5-1-1 in the past 7 games overall.

The Warriors picked a 123-109 win against the Grizzlies in San Francisco on Christmas Day, winning outright as 7.5-point underdogs as the Under (233) connected.

Grizzlies at Warriors odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8 a.m. ET.

Catch the excitement and bet with Tipico

Double Down, Ohio! Deposit $200, Get $250. Bet now!

In Colorado and New Jersey, claim your 100% Deposit Match up to $250 now. Bet now! 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions.

Grizzlies at Warriors key injuries

Grizzlies

Warriors

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

Grizzlies at Warriors picks and predictions

Warriors 124, Grizzlies 119

The WARRIORS (-150) are a solid play on their home court. Golden State easily took care of business in the last meeting with the Grizzlies in San Francisco on Dec. 25.

The Grizz have really hit the skids in the first 3 games of the road trip, and it won’t get better against the Dubs.

The WARRIORS -2.5 (-115) are looking to bounce back after a loss last time out and that’s good news as Golden State is 11-5 ATS in the past 16 games after a straight-up loss.

The Grizzlies have failed to cover the past 4 games overall and are 1-5 ATS in the past 6 against teams with a losing overall record. Memphis is also just 8-17 ATS in the past 25 games on the road.

OVER 242.5 (-115) is the lean, but play a half-unit at best.

It’s all about the Over for the Warriors lately, going 5-1-1 in the past 7 games overall, 4-0 in their past 4 following games a straight-up loss and 8-2 in their past 10 after a non-cover, too.

The Over is 8-3 in the past 11 games for the Grizzlies while also cashing in 8 of the past 11 outings when allowing the opposition to hit the century mark last time out.

Want action on this NBA game or any other matchups? Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, SportsbookWire’s official sportsbook partner in OH, CO and NJ. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.

Access more NBA coverage: HoopsHype | Bulls Wire | Celtics Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | LeBron Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire

Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble.

During the Grit and Grind Era - the run where Zach Randolph told people bullies got bullied where he was from and Tony Allen kicked people like Chris Paul in the face - teams didn’t really enjoy playing the Memphis Grizzlies. It was a physical brand of basketball (even without the face kicks) and the team took pride in being “in the mud” both offensively and defensively. It helped the Grizzlies build the most successful run in franchise history (so far) and take a major step in establishing the type of generational fandom in Memphis that results in long-term viability for an organization in a city.

The Ja Morant Era (AKA #GrzNxtGen) has all the potential in the world to surpass what Grit and Grind was - for better or worse.

This truth was on full display Friday night in Los Angeles, when television personality Shannon Sharpe was involved in an altercation with Grizzlies players Dillon Brooks, Morant, Steven Adams, and even Morant’s father Tee. Things apparently were squashed - between Tee Morant and Sharpe, at least - but the fact remains that Sharpe (a noted fan of LeBron James of the Lakers) was not impressed with the way Memphis has handled themselves.

Shannon Sharpe spent halftime in the tunnel with security before returning to his seat for the third quarter. He granted ESPN a brief interview explaining what happened with the Grizzlies on his way to his seat: pic.twitter.com/XZNw6sQhEG

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 21, 2023

And Dillon Brooks was not a fan of Sharpe...and tried to act as if he didn’t know who the “Undisputed” host was.

Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks on Shannon Sharpe: “I ain’t talking about that. You can ask him. He’s the blogger or whatever he is. I don’t really care about all that. Next question.” pic.twitter.com/xaMEOA9pEU

— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) January 21, 2023

The “up the chimney” mentality that Memphis has adopted as part of the audacity that Ja Morant brings to the team on the floor means that smoke will certainly come your way. And after one of the best season’s in franchise history in 2021-2022, plus the strong start to this campaign, teams are no longer surprised by what the young Memphis team can do on the basketball court. They are well aware of the scoring acumen of Desmond Bane, of the defensive prowess of Jaren Jackson Jr.

And as their game against the Lakers showed Friday night, more and more people are aware of their “trash talking” ways.

Some of this is overblown - the proverbial old man yelling at the cloud. Memphis is the exception to the rule in terms of being one of the NBA’s youngest squads (their rotation, the injured Danny Green excluded, got YOUNGER in the offseason) while also still being one of the Association’s best. They act their age at times...they love to dance. They also love to make it clear they are more than comfortable in their own skin. It is part of the reason they are one of the NBA’s best home teams with a record of 20-3 - the fewest amount of home defeats in the entire league.

But when they take the show on the road, the success is less present. They are 11-12 after they fell-short of a historic comeback in a loss against the Suns, starting off a 5-game road trip with two consecutive losses. This comes after a franchise record-tying 11-game winning streak.

This isn’t as bad as, say, the Golden State Warriors (6-18) who have an issue with the Grizzlies - or even the two teams Memphis lost to over the weekend (Lakers are 9-14 on the road, Suns are 7-17). But when Memphis loses, the meaning is seemingly amplified these days. There’s a growing sentiment among fans - especially online - similar to that of Shannon Sharpe. That the Memphis Grizzlies, actually, are not “about it”.

Ja and Dillon Brooks practicing their dancing at halftime to get them ready for a comeback pic.twitter.com/YsjNGPpafr

— andrew leezus (@AndrewLeezus) January 23, 2023

Ja Morant is a generational talent, a player about to have a shoe debut nationally for the largest athletics outfitter on the planet in Nike. The rest of the team is having far more success than they should be having, from a historical standpoint - outside of the Boston Celtics (who feature Al Horford as a veteran presence) no team has won as much with key players being so young since the Oklahoma City Thunder of a decade ago. That squad had guys like Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden - surely you’ve heard of them.

That level of productivity and overall impact on the league is on the table for the Memphis Grizzlies. It’s possible. But it hasn’t happened YET - no Finals appearances, no extended stays in the postseason past the 2nd round. So despite being one of the winningest teams in the calendar year of 2022 in the NBA, and all the youthful exuberance that the Grizzlies possess, there’s a growing section of NBA fandom that loves to hate this Memphis team.

It’s perhaps more of a sign of arrival to contender status than any other.

Chris Paul - who had a large hand even in his 18th NBA season in cooking the Memphis Grizzlies in the first half on Sunday - is one of the very best point guards to ever play basketball. He also is disliked by many basketball fans. Remember the Tony Allen kick? That was almost APPRECIATED by a majority of people at the time. LeBron James is perhaps the greatest basketball player of all-time, but saying that among a large section of NBA fans will lead to a visceral reaction. Even a player as currently great as Nikola Jokic is not immune to “hate” that isn’t actually hate, whether it is about how “worthy” he is as a rising all-time great or his comments about dressing professionally for games.

And of course, outside of the sizable Warriors fanbase, a wide group of NBA fans would be OK if Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and company didn’t get back to the NBA Finals again. That group would undoubtedly include Grizzlies supporters.

Part of “arriving” is people not liking how you did it. Memphis is built almost exclusively from within and devoid of traditional “veterans”. No one that has played a minute for the Grizzlies this season is over the age of 29. Morant, Bane, Jackson Jr., Brooks...80% of the Grizzlies starting five was drafted by the Memphis franchise. Brandon Clarke and Ziaire Williams are key rotation pieces that were also selected by the Grizzlies in the NBA Draft. They’ve established a “standard” on the floor that is fun, that prioritizes transition offense, strong defense, and their personalities reflect their youth. It’s why more and more kids rock Ja Morant jerseys. Why Nike is interested in Morant as a part of the next generation of the NBA beyond Paul and James.

And it’s why, as the Grizzlies further cement their status as contenders in the months and years to come, the “hate” will continue to grow.

A common refrain among those speaking against Memphis is how they have yet to win “anything”. This is of course untrue - the first division title in franchise history, while less important in the NBA than in other pro leagues, isn’t “nothing”. Nor is 56 regular season wins, or the ability to say your franchise has legitimately gotten better year to year for three consecutive seasons with a roster younger than most of the others in the NBA. Usually teams whose three best players are under the age of 25 are NBA Draft Lottery bound. Memphis has Western Conference Finals expectations...and they’ll continue their journey toward that goal in a way that is uniquely them.

And the slow but sure roar of disdain over that reality will be just another reminder that these Grizzlies have arrived.

Like it or not.

Hall of Fame NFL tight end and Fox Sports 1 personality Shannon Sharpe made big headlines on Friday night when he got into it with multiple Memphis Grizzlies players during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena.

Sharpe started it by telling Dillon Brooks he was too small to guard LeBron James, whom Sharpe is an unapologetic fan of.

Sharpe also admitted during an episode of “Skip and Shannon: Undisputed” that he told Desmond Bane the Lakers would win in the closing seconds, even when they were down on the scoreboard.

“It was, like, 10 seconds before he got the ball stolen,” Sharpe said of when he made his comments to Bane. “He comes over, he looks dead in my eye, he said, ‘You know this game over.’ I say, ‘Either we’re gonna win it in regulation with LeBron [James] 3 or we’re gonna get you to overtime, but we’re winning this game.'”

With 13.2 seconds left in the fourth quarter and Memphis up 120-119, Bane had the ball off an inbound pass, and he found himself trapped by Juan Toscano-Anderson and Russell Westbrook. Then, Dennis Schroder came from his blind side, stole the ball, took it in for a layup, got fouled and made the ensuing free throw to put the Lakers up by two.

Despite committing a loose ball foul on the next possession, they held on to win, 122-121, despite trailing by double digits earlier in the contest.

For good measure, Los Angeles then went up to Portland on Sunday and overcame another sizable deficit. This time, it was down by 25 at halftime to the Portland Trail Blazers, only to prevail in the end, 121-112.

But its win over the Grizzlies on Friday snapped their 11-game winning streak. They had been the NBA’s hottest team coming into the game, and some were even starting to talk about them possibly being legitimate championship contenders despite having a young team.

At 22-25, the Lakers remain within striking distance of not only a play-in tournament spot but also of making the playoffs outright, as they’re just two games behind the Los Angeles Clippers, who are in sixth place in the Western Conference.

The Lakers and Clippers will face off on Tuesday in a contest that will likely have playoff implications.

Soon afterward, the Purple and Gold are expected to receive some reinforcements. Anthony Davis will likely make his return from a stress injury in his right foot this week, while new Laker Rui Hachimura, whom they acquired in a trade on Monday, could make his debut on Wednesday versus the San Antonio Spurs.