Golden State Warriors: Now Set For a Tough, Grinding Series?

As every series in the conference semi-finals are dead even at 1-1, the one that likely holds the most intense battle is the Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies affair. After a 15-point win in Game 1, the Warriors responded with a seven-point loss in Game 2.

The 22-point swing has now made this a series, and it was borderline shocking to see Golden State fall at home. It seriously felt as if it had been a lifetime since Oracle Arena witnessed a loss.

To discuss the fate of this series, I engaged in an email back-and-forth with HoopsHabit’s Gerald Bourguet, the primary go-to source for Warriors coverage on the site. You can view more of Bourguet’s work here, and follow him on Twitter.

Here’s what we discovered:

Shane: Hello Gerald,

Tuesday’s Game 2 in the Bay Area was supposed to be filled with positive energy from a pre-game standing ovation to a final buzzer celebration of a 2-0 Warriors lead. Instead, on the night Stephen Curry raised his MVP trophy in front of the crowd, Memphis probably played their most impressive game of the postseason.

With the series tied at 1-1 heading to FedEx Forum, I was beyond surprised that Golden State suffered their third home loss of the year. Even more ridiculous to me is that Memphis was able to pull it out with just 16 bench points. There wasn’t an abundance of bench scoring from either team in Game 2, but the Grizzlies completely rode their starters.

Although there were so many storylines happening in this one, what was the biggest takeaway or shock for you on Tuesday?

Gerald: First off, we can’t talk about this game without mentioning Mike Conley‘s inspiring performance that galvanized the Grizz into their biggest win of the season. We knew Conley might make a difference in this series, but I don’t think anyone was expecting 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting…in his first game back…after undergoing surgery…BECAUSE HE HAD BROKEN BONES IN HIS FACE.

May 5, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) looks on during the fourth quarter in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Grizzlies defeated the Warriors 97-90. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Seriously, every time they had shown Conley on the bench over the last two weeks, he looked like he had just gone 10 rounds with Apollo Creed.

That being said, in terms of actual takeaways, my biggest takeaway was that the Warriors are going to be just fine. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if they closed out the series in five. Do you agree? Or are you on board with the new-fad idea that Conley will provide that drastic a swing in this series?

Shane: Wow, that’s a bit eye-popping to me that Golden State is still favored by a lot of people to close it in five games. I understand the premise of it, though — they went to New Orleans and nearly lost a couple games, but stormed back in the second halves to crush everyone’s heart. They shaved the uni-brow in that series, man, as everyone thought Anthony Davis could get at least one win. So it all makes sense … just when you think these Warriors have shown a weakness, they’ll bounce back either during the same game, or the following game(s).

Personally, though, I find it so difficult to say Memphis would be shut out on their home floor. In their first three playoff games (vs. Portland), they’ve been able to hold an average winning margin of +11.7 points. The Grizzlies have also already defeated Golden State down in Tennessee before, taking a seven-point victory back in December. Something Warriors’ fans can hold onto, though, is that Draymond Green played completely terrible in that road loss this year, and Curry only shot 1-of-10 from the outside that night.

Based on the way Memphis plays and how they love to control the tempo at home, I would definitely see this series coming back to Oracle Arena split at 2-2. In what looked to be a rampage by Golden State after Game 1, it was Conley’s uplift that saved this series from getting out of hand. Apollo Creed must have wrecked him. He certainly didn’t look like he was punched in the eye by Floyd Mayweather … because there was actually damage done to Conley. Floyd doesn’t hit.

Are you concerned about Klay Thompson‘s nine turnovers in the first two games? As a whole, Kerr watched his group become careless last night in that department.

Gerald: The Grizzlies have been stellar at home in the playoffs so far, but keep in mind the quality of their first round opponent. Damian Lillard was more streaky than Frank The Tank in Old School and that Grizzlies frontcourt was able to put LaMarcus Aldridge on lockdown. Against the league’s second best offense, the only thing that can stop the Dubs is the Dubs missing shots.

That December win doesn’t mean much to me, being that it was half a year ago and the Warriors didn’t even have Andrew Bogut for that game. I really see Game 2 as a bit of a wakeup call for a team that had been cruising to this point. This team hasn’t “needed” wins for months. Now that they actually need one? A hyper-focused Warriors team is a scary prospect.

Closing out in five games probably isn’t the most likely prospect after dropping Game 2, and I agree that we could see this series tied at 2-2 heading back to Oracle for Game 5. But if that happens, the Dubs would probably be satisfied with stealing home-court back.

That being said, you’re right to bring up Klay Thompson as an area of concern for the Warriors. Curry hasn’t shot the ball well from three-point range, but his fellow Splash Brother has been an absolute mess. Tony Allen (FIRST TEAM ALL-DEFESE!) has been in his head and Thompson is trying to do too much to try and put his past mistakes behind him

If he can’t pull his head out his you-know-where, the Warriors will need someone else to step up. Speaking of which, we have to talk about Draymond Green. Do you think consistent foul trouble is going to be a theme for him in this series?

Shane: Without a doubt. Between Green (both games) and Bogut (Game 1), they can’t control the paint against this mean, brawny frontcourt the Grizzlies have pounded guys with for years. It’s actually hilarious, if you think about it. Memphis has employed the same physical, “we’re going to attack you until you just give up or foul us” frontcourt for as long as we can remember, and they’re one of those few teams that haven’t budged on their reputation.

Even DeMarcus Cousins said last summer, it’s the team he dreads facing the most. He said you’ll literally be waking up the next day with bruises or cuts, and not being able to move your shoulders for a while after they banged with you in the paint.

Yet, Memphis still get go anywhere! Granted, they did reach the West Finals one year with Lionel Hollins, but they always draw an opponent that’s nearly impossible to beat. San Antonio during the hellacious Spurs determination in 2013, then the two-headed superstar in Oklahoma City for 2014. Now … well, they’re up against the best team in the last 19 years, Gerald! They can’t get a break out West.

Lastly, real quick, do either of the Clippers or Rockets scare you for Golden State in the next round? We know Los Angeles has their California rivalry with these Warriors.

Gerald: If I’m the Golden State Warriors, I’m a huge Houston Rockets fan right now. The Dubs have their hands full in this second round, so they’re probably not looking ahead. But if they WERE looking ahead, they’d see one team that they swept during the regular season (Houston) and one rivalry team that could make things interesting simply because these teams hate each other’s guts (Los Angeles).

That being said, knowing Draymond Green and company, they’d probably be more excited about playing the Clippers in the conference finals. And to be honest, so would America, assuming Chris Paul’s hamstring injury doesn’t ruin his best shot at a title run. The Warriors have no reason to be scared of anyone, but a matchup with the Rockets favor Golden State in every way. Lob City, on the other hand, seems to be on a mission in these playoffs, and they have the best player of the postseason so far in Blake Griffin.

As much as I love James Harden, I don’t see how it’d get better than a Dubs-Clips rivalry showdown in the Western Conference Finals as a basketball fan. Stars would shine. People would be ejected. Matt Barnes would set a playoff record for most fine money paid in a single series. Oh man, my heart rate is jacked just writing about it!

Shane: Thank you for your time, Gerald, and let’s just hope this Western Conference playoff doesn’t get bugged with more injuries. Seeing the John Wall news today burned a hole in my lungs. Now I can’t breathe.

Next: Stephen Curry: Top 10 Moments From His MVP Season

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