Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors Game Preview

WHO: Memphis Grizzlies (42-27, 28-5 home) vs Golden State Warriors (36-35, 7-28 away)

WHEN: 7:00 PM CT

WHERE: FedEx Forum — Memphis, TN

HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN: NBATV/Bally Sports Southeast/92.9 FM ESPN Memphis

INJURY REPORT:

MEMPHIS: Steven Adams (Out, Knee), Brandon Clarke (Out, Achilles), Ja Morant (Out, Suspension), Vince Williams Jr. (Out, Shoulder)

GOLDEN STATE: Andrew Wiggins (Out, Personal Reasons), Andre Iguodala (Out, Wrist), Gary Payton II (Out, Adductor), Ryan Rollins (Out, Foot)

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPS:

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

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

The Memphis Grizzlies are back home after their three-game road trip concluded last night against the San Antonio Spurs. The Grizzlies went 2-1 in their most recent stretch away from home. Memphis caught a win in Dallas before dropping a game in Miami on Wednesday. The Grizzlies went down 29 against the Spurs in the third quarter, but a late-game run sparked by Luke Kennard, Kenneth Lofton Jr., and Dillon Brooks led to a thrilling 126-120 victory in overtime.

The Grizzlies’ defense had failed them through six and a half quarters. On Wednesday, the Heat shot nearly 60%, en route to 138 points. San Antonio had 69 points at half and 93 through three quarters. The Grizzlies outscored the Spurs by 23 in the second half and pulled ahead in OT to complete a franchise-record 29-point comeback. 

For much of the game, it looked like Memphis’s road woes would continue, as they once again struggled away from the FedEx Forum, but the late flurry showed a side of this Grizzlies team that fans had not seen in quite some time. The meddle it took to mount such a large comeback, even against a weak opponent, says something about this team, and it appears as if Memphis’s arrow is pointing up after it was announced Ja Morant will be returning to the team next week. 

Now, Memphis takes on a familiar foe. The Golden State Warriors are in the middle of a five-game road trip and last night they fell to the Atlanta Hawks. Only nine days ago, the Warriors came to Memphis and lost handily 131-110. While the Grizzlies have struggled away from home this year, their road woes are nothing compared to Golden State. Additionally, Memphis has the best home record in the NBA, making tonight quite the territorial mismatch.

So, what will Memphis have to do to continue its home dominance?

Defend the Three-Point Line

The Spurs shot 20-52 (38.5%) from three on Friday night. On the season, San Antonio has shot 34.6% from beyond the arc. It goes without saying that against the Warriors, Memphis must protect the three-point arc. Stephen Curry has averaged 35 points on 54.7/45.8/82.4 shooting splits, along with 5.3 rebounds and 5 assists, over his last four games. It took some time for Curry to find his form after missing time with an injury, but now Curry is back and better than ever. 

Curry is not the only splash brother to be on a heater recently. Klay Thompson is averaging 22.5 points with 49.3/44.7/62.5 shooting splits while tallying 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists. On any given night, see Monday’s matchup against the Suns, the Warriors can catch fire and unleash an assault on their opponent, unlike any other team in the league. If Memphis wants to tie the season series with one of their least favorite teams, then they will need to consistently close out and defend the three-point line. 

Team Effort

All of Memphis’s recent victories have one thing in common: they have featured big performances from bench players and surprising faces. Whether it was David Roddy’s coming out party against the Mavericks or Kennard and Lofton’s surge that helped Memphis come back last night, the Grizzlies have been victorious thanks to unexpected contributions.

When Lofton subbed in early in the first half against the Spurs, every Grizzlies fan was caught off guard, but the rookie made the most out of his opportunity, scoring 11 points and grabbing seven rebounds. On nights when Santi Aldama and Roddy are quiet off the bench, it is a blessing to have a player like Lofton that is ready when his number is called. Kennard has played as advertised since being traded to the Grizzlies, draining three after three offering a much-needed spark for the Grizzlies. 

The next-man-up mentality that has propelled so many short-handed Grizzlies teams to victory will continue to be the key to Memphis’s success as they wait for Morant and Steven Adams to return. Who will step up is always a mystery game-to-game but it is nice to know the Grizzlies have a plethora of options to go to. 

Prediction

Despite the opponent, Memphis secured a monumental win last night. The Grizzlies looked as if they had laid two consecutive eggs but the second-half surge gives Memphis momentum heading into tonight’s big matchup. If this matchup was in the Bay, I would have a much different prediction but with Memphis’s home dominance compounded with Golden State’s road struggles, I believe the Grizzlies will grab another win against their Western Conference foe. 

Prediction: Memphis 125, Golden State 109