Warriors Please Don’t Come Out to Play: Grizzlies at Warriors

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Tonight Memphis wraps up their California Road trip in the Orcale Arena. I for one am asking the Warriors please don’t come out to play. The last time the Grizzlies matched up against the Warriors was on our turf and the line-ups woes we are currently struggling through weren’t plaguing us quite as strong. Memphis was on a 5 game winning streak heading into that December game. They walked away with their 6th win, a 110 – 89 victory over the league’s number one team. Tonight tells a different story.

So far this road trip has not gone well for the Grizzlies. They are currently on a 2 game losing streak and Zaza Pachulia is the number 2 Front Court All-Star. If that doesn’t light a proverbial fire under Marc Gasol’s hiney I don’t know what will. Frankly, he needs that fire. Needless to say, it’s been a rough week. After losing to the Lakers and not finding rhythm against the Clippers (see: Austin Rivers whupped up on us) it is going to take a lot to grind out a win tonight.

What will it take to win?

The Grizzlies will have to go back to the basics. Golden State has only lost 5 games this season and Memphis was one of the teams to hand them a loss. As much as I wish they were going to come out and underestimate us, I don’t think that is going to happen. When the Warriors visited Memphis they coughed up 23 turnovers and their starting line-up combined for 53 points. Those 23 turnovers led to 30 Memphis points and the Grizzlies starters combined for 74 points. Although Memphis scored more points the Warrior still out-shot them on the court. The key was the defense. If Memphis is going to walk out with a win they must, must, must create offensive opportunities from their defense.

Show up or go home. This year Memphis has continually found a way to show up for big games. While that isn’t the standard for every big game there are some really good wins under our belt. The Cavaliers, the Warriors, the Rockets, the Jazz, the Raptors, and even the Clippers have fallen this season to a hungry Grizzlies team. Memphis went to the line 29 times during that win against the Warriors which accounted for 26 points. They were aggressive and wanted to win. Memphis has the capability to dig in and find ways to win, tonight they just have to do it.

The game tips off tonight at 9:30 CST on ESPN.

Side note: GET OUT AND VOTE!!! Your Memphis Grizzlies should be represented in the All-Star game!

Tabitha Smith

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