Let’s Do It Again: Grizzlies vs. Warriors

Posted on February 10, 2017 by Carmen Patton

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Let’s do it again…

The Memphis Grizzlies are set to close out a three game home stand tonight against the Golden State Warriors. This marks the third of four meetings between the two teams. The Warriors have a total of eight losses, and two of those have come at the hands of the Grizz. The Grizzlies have defeated the Warriors in Memphis and in Oakland. This will be the first time the teams meet where the Grizzlies have a completely healthy roster. Here’s how they’ve looked in the previous match-ups.

Game One: December 10, 2016 (Fed Ex Forum)

Final Score: 110-89 (Grizzlies largest lead was 30. Warriors largest lead was 1. Two lead changes)

Field Goal %: Grizzlies, 43.7 percent (38/87); Warriors, 44.2 percent (34/77)

Three Point Field Goal %: Grizzlies, 30.8 percent; Warriors 33.3 percent

Rebounds: Grizzlies, 47; Warriors, 42

Assists: Grizzlies, 23; Warriors, 15

Steals: Grizzlies, 10; Warriors, 6

Turnovers: Grizzlies, 10; Warriors, 23

Bench Points: Grizzlies, 36; Warriors, 36

Leading Scorers: Grizzlies, Marc Gasol & Tony Allen tied (19); Warriors, Kevin Durant (21)

Game Two: January 6, 2017 (Oracle Arena)

Final Score: 128-119 OT (Grizzlies largest lead was 9. Warriors largest lead was 24. One lead change)

Field Goal %: Grizzlies, 48.5 percent (50/103); Warriors, 49.4 percent (41/83)

Three Point Field Goal%: Grizzlies, 39.4 percent; Warriors, 26.7 percent

Rebounds: Grizzlies, 47; Warriors, 44

Assists: Grizzlies, 29; Warriors, 23

Steals: Grizzlies, 13; Warriors, 7

Turnovers: Grizzlies, 12; Warriors, 16

Bench Points: Grizzlies, 53; Warriors, 14

Leading Scorers: Grizzlies, Mike Conley & Zach Randolph tied (27); Warriors, Steph Curry (40)

Keys to the Win

The two Grizzlies’ victories against the Warriors were different. In the first match-up, the Grizzlies came out on a mission and never let their foot off the throttle. In the second match-up, the Grizzlies came out slow, and didn’t put their foot on the gas until the fourth quarter forcing an OT and took the lead for the first time in OT. What’s the recipe for success against the Warriors?

Play a Physically Aggressive Game

The Warriors do not like a physically aggressive game. Most people like to believe that the Cleveland Cavaliers exposed this truth during last year’s NBA Finals. In actuality, this is how the Grizzlies have beat them in years past: playing physically aggressive. The Grizzlies will need to do the same tonight from beginning to end. The Grizzlies’ defense will have to lead them into their offense. They’ll need to contest shots, force turnovers, attack the glass on both ends of the floor, and consistently impose their will on the Warriors.

Start the Game Committed to the Win

The Grizzlies were quite shorthanded in the first meeting. Mike Conley, Vince Carter, James Ennis III, Chandler Parsons, and Brandan Wright were all missing from the first meeting. The Grizzlies started two rookies, Andrew Harrison and Troy Williams, in the backcourt against Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. The Grizz came out HUNGRY, and never let up.

The Grizzlies cannot afford to start slow like they did in the second match-up, even having the energy of the home crowd to fuel them. They’ve got to come out like they did that night in December when no one expected them to win. Flip the switch into “WIN AT ALL COSTS” gear at the beginning of the game and leave it flipped for 48 minutes.

Stay Focused on the Win and Composed Under Pressure

Let the record show that the Warriors aren’t looking to lose a third time to this team. The Grizzlies have defeated them with a broken, battered, and bruised team in the first game, and they’ve come back after being down 19 at the start of the 4th quarter and beat them in OT in the second game. They’ve been dominated and lost, and they’ve dominated and lost. So, expect them to come in with a chip on their shoulder.

The Grizzlies must stay focused on the win. Cool heads will have to prevail. They can’t afford petty fouls or poor body language. When the foul calls come, stay focused on the win. When your defense is good, but their offense is better, stay focused on the win. If some of the shots you normally bank don’t fall, stay focused on the win. Whether you play five minutes or thirty minutes, stay focused on the win.

Notes for Tonight

This is the first night of a back to back for the Warriors; tomorrow they’ll go to Oklahoma City to face the Thunder. Chandler Parsons will not play tonight. He is on a planned recovery day. The Grizzlies do expect Vince Carter and Zach Randolph to return to the line-up tonight after missing Wednesday night’s game. Tonight’s officials will be James Capers, Mark Ayotte, and Ben Taylor.

Come out and support the home team tonight or tune in and catch it on Fox SportsSouth. Game tips off at 7 p.m. Don’t miss any of the action. Go Grizz!!

**Statistics via nba.com**