Here we go again.
After two consecutive NBA postseasons of no meetings between the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors, the two foes will meet again at the Chase Center in a play-in game on Tuesday (9 p.m., TNT). This will be the third postseason in five years that includes a meeting between the Grizzlies and Warriors.
Memphis won a play-in game against the Warriors in 2021, then Golden State returned the favor in 2022 by eliminating the Grizzlies in six games during the Western Conference semifinals.
Both teams have undergone several roster changes, but many key pieces are still in tact.
For the Grizzlies, the operation still goes through Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. On Golden State’s side, Steph Curry is still the offensive engine while Draymond Green quarterbacks the defense.
The winner of Tuesday’s game will advance to the playoffs and face the No. 2-seeded Houston Rockets in the first round. The loser will need to play another play-in game on Friday against the winner of the Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings.
Here are some of the biggest keys, points of emphasis for the Grizzlies.
Maximizing the big three
Jaren Jackson Jr. has looked unguardable at times this season, and so has Ja Morant. The problem for Memphis is it’s been difficult to get both players playing their best basketball simultaneously. Beating Golden State would be much more achievable if Memphis can have Jackson and Morant playing well while Desmond Bane puts up efficient shooting numbers.
“I have no doubt in our three heads of the snake to get the job done,” GG Jackson said.
“We have great leaders in Ja, Des and Jaren,” Lamar Stevens said. “They’re hungry to prove something and I think that’s just the trickle-down effect for everybody else.”
Containing Steph Curry
Losing Jaylen Wells hurts for Tuesday’s matchup against future Hall of Famer Steph Curry. Even though Curry lit up Wells and Memphis for 52 on April 1, the Grizzlies had done a solid job against Curry this season. Prior to that game, Curry had a total of 15 points on 4-for-16 in his two previous meetings against Memphis.
Vince Williams Jr. and Scotty Pippen Jr. will now be tasked with the assignment of containing Curry.
“He’s a runner,” Williams said. “He runs around. They set illegal screens. They don’t call it, so they just gone set some screens and I got to figure out a way to get around them. . ...
