The second-round playoff matchup between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Golden State Warriors has been extremely chippy to this point.
Game 2 of the series on Tuesday night saw Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks get ejected after being assessed a flagrant-2 foul on what Warriors fans saw as a dirty play when Brooks came in wildly to attempt to block a layup attempt from guard Gary Payton II.
Gary Payton II takes a hard fall after the foul from Dillon Brooks.
Brooks has been an ejected from the game. pic.twitter.com/36wnOrtFZt
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) May 4, 2022
Many around the Warriors were outraged by this play considering Payton got seriously injured. He ended up with a fractured elbow and his hopes at a return in the playoffs are looking very doubtful.
Head coach Steve Kerr called out Brooks following the game, calling the play “dirty” and that Brooks “broke the code” with the foul.
This foul had many around the NBA wondering if there were going to be further punishments handed down by the league, and we now have a clearer picture ahead of Saturday’s Game 3 matchup.
The NBA has announced that Brooks will be suspended for Game 3.
NBA announces Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks will be suspended for Game 3 against the Golden State Warriors.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) May 5, 2022
This news has shifted the odds on the game, making the Warriors go from a 6.5-point home favorite to a 7.5-point favorite according to WynnBet.
Updated Game 3 odds for the Grizzlies vs. Warriors following the Dillon Brooks suspension.
Warriors currently a 7.5-point favorite at home… pic.twitter.com/E0TROlutga
— BetSided (@BetSided) May 5, 2022
Given that the series is tied up at 1-1, it is definitely a big blow to the Grizzlies, who will be without one of their top role players in what could be a pivotal game that decides the series.
The series has seen two players ejected in back-to-back games with Draymond Green getting tossed in Game 1, so look for the referees calling Game 3 to try and keep things in line early and often.
