On the Road Again: Grizzlies vs. Warriors

The Memphis Grizzlies are headed out on their longest road trip of the season with a 2-1 record.  They will face 5 teams in the next 8 days including the Kings (11/3), the Trailblazers (11/5), the Jazz (11/7), and the Clippers (11/9).  The first stop, however, is in Oakland, CA to face the reigning NBA Champions, the Golden State Warriors tonight.  The Warriors are currently 3-0.  The Grizzlies have faced the Cavaliers (L), the Pacers (W), and the Nets (W).  The Warriors have faced the Rockets and the Pelicans (twice).  The last time these two teams saw each other was in game 6 of the 2015 Western Conference semi-finals in Memphis.  That loss had Mike Conley in a mask just days after having surgery on his face and a side-lined Tony Allen.  Conley has shed his mask, and Allen is looking as defensive as ever.  The Grizzlies bench has also made some changes from the last match-up.

The Warriors appear to be headed towards another deep playoff bound season.  They are doing what they do well. Arguably, however, the three games they’ve won thus far they should have won.  In the first game against the Pelicans, the Pelicans only had 2/3 of their roster eligible.  In the second game against the Pelicans, the Pelicans had more players available, but arguably three of their major players, Norris Cole, Tyreke Evans, and Quincy Pondexter, were still inactive.  Then there’s Houston, who has lost all three of their games thus far this season by 20 points making them the first team in NBA history to start their season with 3 straight 20 point losses.  Now, it is duly noted that not many teams made it out of Oracle Arena this past season or post-season with a victory. However, take note that the Grizzlies are among the teams that did.  So, it’s not impossible for the Grizzlies to start off this West Coast road trip with a win.

Reigning MVP Stephen Curry is having another highlight reel type season already.  In their game against the Pelicans Saturday, Curry had 53 points, including a 28 point quarter (scoring more than the Pelicans team that quarter).  He made 8 threes in that game (14 attempts), and made 11 free throw shots.  Smothering him with the Grit and Grind Defense is key to stealing a win.  The Warriors go as he goes.  Stifle him.

The team’s inability to do this is what cost them the season opener against the Cavaliers. It is imperative that they fight through calls (or lack thereof) from the referees, missed shots, turnovers, and other offensive missteps.  They cannot let their defensive edge be weakened by mishaps on the offensive end because the Warriors are offensive juggernauts.

Jeff Green has come off the bench in the last two games and made some magnificent strides with that 2nd unit. He seems comfortable with them, and they seem comfortable with him.  The bench scored 49 points against the Pacers (112 total points) and 36 points against the Nets (101 total points).  They run a pace that’s totally different from the starters, which is fine because they’re effective together and it somewhat confuses the competition. Just for comparison purposes:  the Warriors bench scored 29 points against the Pelicans Saturday (134 total) and 46 points against the Rockets (112 points total).

There’s no doubt that the Warriors will attempt to shoot their fair share and then some. The Warriors shot a combined 46% (26/56) from 3-point range in the last 2 games.  The Grizzlies shot a combined 41% (16/39) from 3-point range in the last 2 games.  This is the team’s Achilles heel.  If they can somehow turn this weakness into a strength, nobody will want to see this group.

Though there are some new members to the Grizzlies’ family that are still learning their role, everyone knows what strengths they bring to the table.  They should capitalize on those strengths.  Assist offensively, but don’t over-help defensively.  Everyone needs to be where they’re supposed to be and do what they’re supposed to do at all times.  They have to trust each other and themselves even through mistakes.  They’ve got to play team ball. It’s how they win games.

Grizzlies’ fans have some long nights ahead of them this week.  Catch the Grizzlies tonight at 9:30 p.m. for an exciting match-up against the Warriors.

*Stats from nba.com*