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Memphis Grizzles vs. Golden State Warriors (Warriors lead 1-0)
Game Time, TV: Tuesday, May 5 – 10:30 p.m. ET on TNT
Projected Starting Lineups:
Grizzlies: PG: Nick Calathes, SG: Courtney Lee, SF: Tony Allen, PF: Zach Randolph, C: Marc Gasol
Warriors: PG: Stephen Curry, SG: Klay Thompson, SF: Harrison Barnes, PF: Draymond Green, C: Andrew Bogut
Newly-crowned MVP Stephen Curry will look to lead the charge once again for his Warriors when they play host to the Grizzlies in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
In Game 1, the Warriors cruised to victory thanks once again to Curry’s outstanding outside shooting, which effortlessly propelled his team to victory. The Warriors had five players in double-figures, including Curry’s ‘Splash Brother’ Klay Thompson who recorded 18 points. If the Warriors make more than 10 three-pointers in a game, chances are they are going to dominate, and they did just that in the first game of this series.
The Grizzlies, on the other hand, badly missed the services of Mike Conley, whose status is questionable going into Game 2 with a nasty facial injury. Conley is very important to this team because of the defense he plays and the quickness he possesses, especially considering how he could guard Curry on the perimeter.
The Grizzlies will continue to pound it down low to Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph, but if these two guys get doubled, the Grizzlies are going to have to step up and make some outside shots, which is something they have struggled with all season.
The key matchup for this game will be Curry vs. Conley (if healthy). If Conley returns for Game 2, which would surprise no one, his perimeter defense could be the difference-maker in helping turn this into a close game. The Grizzlies will need to steal one on the road if they hope to win this series, and their best chance is doing it here while the Warriors are riding high off a blowout Game 1 win, combined with Curry’s acceptance of his MVP trophy.
Unfortunately for the Grizzlies, with the status of Conley still very much up in the air, I have to go with the Warriors here. While the Grizzlies possess a notable advantage inside, they keep laying bricks from the perimeter. This will have to change if they want to have a shot to make this series competitive.
Prediction: Warriors 104, Grizzlies 92
Dan Schultz is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on twitter @dschultz89. “Like” him on Facebook and add him on Google.
