Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors Game Preview

WHO: Memphis Grizzlies (38-26, 26-5 home) vs. Golden State Warriors (34-32, 7-25 home)

WHEN: 6:30 PM CT

WHERE: FedEx Forum

HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN: TNT/92.9 FM ESPN Memphis

INJURY REPORT:

MEMPHIS: Jake LaRavia (Questionable, back), Steven Adams (Out, knee), Brandon Clarke (Out, Achilles), Ja Morant (Out, not with team), Vince Williams Jr. (Out, shoulder)

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: Andre Iguodola (Probable, hip), Jonathan Kuminga (Probable, hip), Kevon Looney (Probable, back), Andrew Wiggins (Out, hip), Gary Payton II (Out, core)

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPS:

MEMPHIS: Tyus Jones, Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, Jaren Jackson Jr., Xavier Tillman Sr.

GOLDEN STATE: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Donte DiVincenzo, Draymond Green, Kevon Looney

The Memphis Grizzlies are finally back home after a tumultuous road trip that began with a comfortable win against the Houston Rockets but quickly deteriorated into three straight losses against the Nuggets, Clippers, and Lakers. While Memphis would have liked to make a stronger statement against several potential Western Conference playoff opponents, the team was marred by several unfortunate absences during the trip, some more preventable than others. Brandon Clarke suffered an Achilles tear against the Nuggets, Dillon Brooks was suspended for the Clippers game after receiving his 16th technical foul of the season, and Ja Morant has been away from the team — and will be for at least four more games — since he was seen at a club with a gun on his Instagram Live.

It was a tough week for any Grizzlies fan, but the team is back home now, just in time for the next chapter of its budding rivalry with the Golden State Warriors. Both teams will be looking to prove something, especially after Draymond Green called out Dillon Brooks and the Grizzlies on his podcast on Wednesday. Oh, and another result of that disastrous road trip? The Grizzlies slipped to third in the West, meaning they are currently set for a rematch with Golden State in the first round of the playoffs:

This will be another tough test for the Grizzlies: Steph Curry has returned from injury and, despite the Warriors’ back-to-back losses since then, he dropped 40 points on 10-16 from three against the OKC Thunder on Tuesday. Here are some keys for the Grizzlies as they look to avoid a fourth straight loss.

Don’t beat yourself

Memphis is in a tough situation due to injuries and the absence of Morant, but there’s nothing they can do to change that against Golden State. Instead, they must focus on what they can control: playing smart and not losing focus. Jaren Jackson Jr. looked dominant against the Lakers with 26 points on 8-15 FGs, but he also racked up five fouls that caused him to sit for part of the consequential fourth quarter. Dillon Brooks has played outstanding and essential defense against stars like Curry all season, but has also been thrown out of or suspended for multiple important matchups. Against Golden State, Memphis needs to keep the good and avoid the bad — especially unnecessary and self-destructive fouls and ejections.

The Warriors undoubtedly have copious bragging rights coming into Thursday’s game: On top of their 2022 NBA Championship, they have also won both of their games against the Grizzlies this season. Be prepared for trash talk and high tensions; those are inevitable in a rivalry this heated. But if the Grizzlies can keep their heads and play their own game, they have every chance to remind the Warriors why this is not a one-sided matchup.

Avoid another fourth-quarter collapse

Despite the three-straight losses to end the road trip, looking at only the first three quarters of each game paints a much prettier picture. The Grizzlies were outscored in the fourth by 16 against the Nuggets, 21 (!!) against the Clippers, and 7 against the Lakers, giving up three entirely winnable games in the final 12 minutes. Similarly, in Memphis’ last game against the Warriors in January, they lost the fourth quarter by 8 and the game by 2. If Memphis is going to beat the Warriors, or any quality team in a playoff series, it needs to remedy its fourth-quarter woes.

Much of the problem comes from their half-court offense, something the team has struggled with all season, in contrast to its stellar transition scoring. For much of the season, the Grizzlies have been able to steamroll teams enough in the first three quarters — and especially the third, where they average the most points of any team — to survive comeback attempts in the fourth. But Memphis currently ranks second-to-last in fourth-quarter net rating, above only San Antonio. Relying on three-fourths of the game to carry you to victories is an entirely unsustainable strategy for a team with aspirations to contend for a championship. With the lack of Morant, Adams, and Clarke looming against the Warriors, everyone else will have to step up, especially during the final period.

Other notes and a prediction

Not all is doom and gloom for the Grizzlies, despite their injury woes: Memphis has the second-best home record in the NBA this season, while the Warriors’ away record is fourth-worst. Desmond Bane is due for a hot night from three after going 0-5 against the Lakers. Tyus Jones and Xavier Tillman Sr. have been stepping up in the absence of Ja Morant and Steven Adams. It will be yet another tough 48 minutes for the Grizzlies, but they will come out on top of this one.

Memphis 127, Golden State Warriors 121