Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors Video Game Sneak Peek

on

The globe keeps rotating as COVID continues to melt.

 
WHO: Memphis Grizzlies (19-13, 8-5 away) vs. Golden State Warriors (25-6, 15-2 house).


WHEN: 9:00 PM CT


WHERE: Chase Facility in San Francisco, California.

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

INJURY RECORD:.

MEMPHIS: Tyus Jones (Questionable, finger), John Konchar (Questionable, foot), Brandon Clarke (Out, knee), Santi Aldama (Out, calf bone), Sam Merrill (Out, ankle joint), Ziaire Williams (Out, ankle).

GOLDEN STATE: Damion Lee (Out, Health and Safety Protocols), Andrew Wiggins (Out, Health And Wellness Protocols), Jordan Poole (Out, Health And Wellness Protocols), James Wiseman (Out, knee), Klay Thompson (Out, Achilles).

FORECASTED STARTING SCHEDULE:.

MEMPHIS: Ja Morant, Desmond Scourge, Dillon Brooks, Jaren Jackson Jr., Steven Adams.

GOLD STATE: Steph Curry, Moses Moody (Possibly?), Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Environment-friendly, Kevon Looney.

The Memphis Grizzlies are out west for the Xmas vacation, as well as California fantasizing possibly can take their cumulative mind off the current state of points. That's not to say everything is bad in their globe. Also after losing two games straight at home this previous Sunday and also Monday, the Grizzlies are 8-3 this month as well as have a real chance to win double-digit video games in December. That's a great run in the NBA, regardless of what group you are.

However in between the drama of (reportedly) 2 fans heckling Ja Morant courtside Monday night impacting Ja's subconscious as well as the present issues the NBA (and the globe) are taking care of as the Omicron version of COVID-19 states Winter months 2021 is the new Spring 2020 (not truly - inoculations, screening, etc. we remain in a far better location), it appears like things are even more off than they actually are. Perception is reality, of course, specifically when it come to the method the Grizzlies are playing of late. The group has actually lost its offensive rhythm, shooting under 40% for two video games in a row, and also at the absolute worst times they have misplaced their defensive energy as well as focus. It creates a dish for calamity - also versus struggling squads like the Path Sports Jackets as well as Thunder.

The Golden State Warriors, nonetheless, are not having a hard time on the court. Stephen Curry, Draymond Eco-friendly, and also the crew are thriving today as a basketball team. But they're amongst those in the NBA that have been hit by COVID-19 of late, as well as they'll lack several key players in this game as a result of it.

How much will it matter? Keys to the game.


Disrupt Draymond's Rhythm.


Steph Curry gets a great deal of the interest for the Warriors. Not surprisingly so - he is, naturally, the best shooter in the background of the NBA. However, the Golden State resurgence goes beyond his MVP project. Draymond Environment-friendly has actually experienced a career renaissance all his own, improving himself as one of the distinctly gifted gamers in all the NBA. Defensively, he is a force of nature. He is strong sufficient to protect on the block, quick sufficient to move and activate the border, as well as smart sufficient to balance out any type of physical downside he may face in either area. Offensively, he's back to assisting in crime and also making great choices as a passer/screener to develop scoring opportunities for others before himself.

It isn't best. Being a 6' 6" center obtains him in problem sometimes. Yet a substantial bulk of the minutes he gets on the floor, he affects winning in multiple ways. In order for Memphis to pull the disturbed below (as well as yes, expect Memphis to be the underdog despite all the COVID lacks for Golden State) they will need to shake off the checks out and also general feelings of Draymond. Striking him off the dribble with Jaren Jackson Jr., utilizing the size as well as stamina of Steven Adams to wear him down ... the list of names continues as to how to make Eco-friendly's power much less evident throughout the systems of Golden State.

Curry is the head of the snake. Yet Draymond might be the brain.


The bench was a major factor to the recent run of Grizzlies success. That has dropped away in the last two games. Even with Tyus Jones out on Monday night (and potentially tonight also), Memphis still had two very good reserve gamers in De'Anthony Melton and Kyle Anderson offered. They both battled, especially offensively, and while nobody anticipates these two to be Lou Williams-esque microwave scorers off the bench extra is required than their combined 3-14 from the field versus the Thunder.

The Warriors have a solid bench. Otto Porter Jr. and Memphis Grizzlies legend Andre Iguodala lead that charge when Jordan Poole isn't available, yet even without Poole Golden State has the capacity to protect as well as make things hard for the Grizzlies on crime specifically. If those two (and somebody like Gary Payton II, who racked up 12 in their last getaway against the Kings) reach increase digit racking up, along with their defensive acumen? The Grizzlies won't be able to win the mins when Steph Curry is out - which they probably should do to win.

Anderson and also Melton allow X-Factors in this competition. If they're playing well? Bank on Memphis being in the fight. If they struggle? The video game may be over early.

The Forecast.
This game is currently not readily available to be banked on - possibly due to COVID unpredictabilities. However make no mistake, the Warriors are deemed the superior squad. Golden State has the fire power to make Memphis aggravated offensively and also out of setting defensively, even in their present state. Yet what will certainly almost certainly maintain the Grizzlies in this game is the fact that Ja Morant has even more motivation than normal to show what he can do. And he has actually bested Curry prior to, on a larger stage than this (in the 2021 Play-In Video Game).

A full strength Warriors group defeats Memphis 9 times out of 10. This Golden State team can additionally extremely well win - yet my digestive tract tells me they're mosting likely to be looking for both Ja hecklers like the remainder people after Morant takes out his disappointments on them. And also the Grizzlies will profit.

Memphis 109, Golden State 105.

Comments

Post a Comment