After battling it out against the Timberwolves in the first round, the Memphis Grizzlies have advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals for the first time since 2015. And, as in 2015, the Grizzlies will be facing off against the Golden State Warriors.
But much has changed about this Grizzlies team since then — most notably a changing of the guard in Memphis. The Core Four era gave way to the next generation of Grizzlies basketball, which is currently in the capable hands of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and head coach Taylor Jenkins.
Due to the league’s shoddy scheduling, which allowed only one day between the conclusion of the Grizzlies-Timberwolves series, this preview comes after the first game of the second round has already been decided.
Memphis lost Game 1 to the Warriors by one point (117-116) after leading for most of the game. While Golden State is undoubtedly a better team than Minnesota, the Timberwolves matchup was in some ways tougher for this Grizzlies team than the Warriors. This series will give us a head-to-head matchup of the two most exciting point guards in the league — Ja Morant and Stephen Curry — as well as matchups between Dillon Brooks and Klay Thompson, and Jaren Jackson Jr. and Andrew Wiggins.
Since their 2015 playoff series, the Grizzlies are 10-15 against the Warriors. However, since drafting Ja Morant in 2019, the Grizzlies’ record against Golden State is 6-4.
The Flyer’s special Grizzlies correspondents Sharon Brown and Aimee Stiegemeyer explain what the keys to success are for round two and give their predictions on the series.
What will the Grizzlies need to do to win this series and advance to the Western Conference Finals?
Sharon Brown: Memphis just needs to play Grizzlies basketball, which is sticking to the strengths that got them there. The Grizzlies have no choice but to be extremely strategic and deliberate in their approach to defeating the Warriors. Because the Warriors are filled with veterans that will make them pay for costly mistakes as we saw in Game 1 of this second-round series.
In addition to Morant and JJJ’s incredible performances, they’ll need more help off the bench to get the job done. If available, Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks, who scored a combined 17 points in Game 1, should step up their offensive production. If they both can’t contribute offensively, this series will be over in a hurry. While Memphis’ bench was statistically superior to Golden State’s in the regular season, Jordan Poole will be a constant issue if he comes off the bench or starts. To win this series, Memphis will need a stronger showing from players other than Morant or JJJ.
Getting back to rebounding, causing turnovers, and wreaking havoc is the key to this series.
Aimee Stiegemeyer: Basing this off their performance in Game 1 there are a few things the Grizzlies will need to do if they want to advance:
Better ball handling: The ability to create more possessions for themselves over the past couple of seasons is directly correlated with the Grizzlies’ rise in the standings. Part of how that was achieved was through forcing turnovers while also committing fewer of them. Memphis committed 16 turnovers in Game 1, and Golden State scored 24 points off those turnovers. Careless turnovers disrupt the flow of play and allow more scoring opportunities for the Warriors.
Making free throws: At the risk of sounding like a broken record, missed free throws have really hurt this team, both in the regular season and so far during this playoff run. Especially when the margin of victory is as close as it was the first game in this series. In a game you lost by one point, going 18-24 from the charity stripe is unfathomable. YGTMYFT.
Everyone needs to show up for this series: During the series against Minnesota, the Timberwolves rendered Steven Adams powerless and De’Anthony Melton was all but nonexistent. Once Adams is out of health and safety protocols, the Grizzlies need him back in the starting lineup. They will also need Jaren Jackson Jr. and Dillon Brooks to stay out of foul trouble. Brandon Clarke and Tyus Jones were crucial in round one, and that same energy will be needed in this series.
Predictions for the series outcome?
SB: I say Grizzlies in 7 because I believe they can win on the road in San Francisco.
AS: I’m also going to say Grizzlies in 7. This is a winnable series for Memphis if they play like they did during the regular season.
