The next installment of our Matchup Series takes us to the Bay Area of California. Today we will examine how the Memphis Grizzlies stack up against the Golden State Warriors.
2013-14 Head to Head
Nov. 9: Memphis 108, Golden State 90
In Stephen Curry‘s first game back from an ankle injury, the Grizzlies came in and bullied the Warriors in a very physical game. Zach Randolph had 23 points and 11 rebounds to lead six Memphis players in double figures. Mike Conley added 20 points, six assists and three steals.
The Grizzlies’ identity was on full display that night — smothering defense, and inside-out offensive game plan led to a really impressive early season win over a talented Warriors team.
Nov. 20: Memphis 88, Golden State 81 (OT)
Mike Conley hit the biggest shot of the night with a go-ahead three pointer with 1:36 left, and the Grizzlies held on to beat Golden State, who played without point guard Stephen Curry (concussion).
Marc Gasol: 18 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, four blocks and a steal.
Zach Randolph: 21 points, 12 rebounds.
Dec. 7: Golden State 108, Memphis 82
Golden State’s combined points in the paint for the first two games: 60
Golden State’s points in the paint for this game without Marc Gasol: 50
The absence of Gasol meant an onslaught of the rim from the Warriors’ backcourt. Klay Thompson led the way with 30 points, and Steph Curry had 22 points and 15 assists.
Mar. 28: Golden State 100, Memphis 93
Steph Curry put the Grizzlies away with a big three pointer in the closing minutes to cap off a huge night: 33 points, eight assists and five rebounds.
The Grizzlies were out rebounded (43-33) for the first time against the Warriors in the final meeting of the season.
2014-15 Starting Matchups
C – Andrew Bogut vs. Marc Gasol
PF – Kevin Love David Lee vs. Zach Randolph
SF – Andre Iguodala vs. Tayshaun Prince
SG – Klay Thompson vs. Courtney Lee
PG – Stephen Curry vs. Mike Conley
Scouting Report
No team in the league boasts a backcourt that can shoot as well as this one. Klay Thompson and Steph Curry can light up teams from downtown. Getting out and defending the three is something the Grizzlies are good at, but this matchup requires the extra effort, and extra rotation.
Gasol and Bogut historically have had great battles against one another. Bogut is a quality pick and roll big that Steph Curry utilizes often in the middle of the floor. Gasol and Randolph have to be sharp defending these two.
David Lee is another threat to score and to pass out of the pick and roll. With Mike Conley on Curry it’s vital that he get through the screen and back to his man before the defense has to start rotating, thus leaving shooters open.
Memphis’ advantage is the Zach Randolph-David Lee matchup. Randolph has torched the Warriors in recent years largely thanks to his size and mass advantage in the post against the smaller Lee. It’s important to slow the game down against Golden State as they like get out in transition and run for threes, and few point guards are able to dictate pace like Mike Conley. It will be vital to play Grizzlies’ style basketball against this team and wear them down with bruising half-court defense. If not, the Warriors are more than capable of running over, through and past the Memphis Grizzlies.
Recap
Pace. Pace. Pace.
Mike Conley plays an enormous role in how these games will go. If Golden State is allowed to run and get open looks for its shooters you can forget about it. But if Memphis keeps the game in the 90’s the Grizzlies clearly have the advantage with their late game execution on both ends of the floor.
Prediction
I give the advantage here to the team with home court advantage. Steve Kerr is going to be an excellent head coach, but the first year is always filled with adjustments and surprises. With Memphis becoming more and more efficient under Dave Joerger I see the Grizzlies finishing as the higher seed going in to the playoffs, thus — advantage Memphis.
Memphis wins 4-3.