Game Info
- Tip Off: 7:30 PM PST
- Television: CSNBayHD
Memphis Grizzlies Team Profile
- Offensive Efficiency: 100.00 (tied for 16th in NBA)
- Defensive Efficiency: 102.9 (21st in NBA)
Scope the Opposition: 3 Shades of Blue.
Preview: The Golden State Warriors have a difficult task awaiting them tonight when they host the Memphis Grizzlies. Stephen Curry will miss the contest due to a concussion and consequently, the Dubs have no point guards.
Indeed, Toney Douglas is hampered currently with a stress facture in his left tibia. So again, no point guards. Obviously, the loss of Curry is the biggest one.
The Dubs have looked like one of the best teams in basketball early in the season by virtue of multiple blowout victories. The matchup with the Grizzlies tonight is a perfect way to demonstrate how far they have come along given that Memphis has had their number for quite some time.
Tonight’s road team defeated Golden State earlier in the season and as result, Mark Jackson is more than likely looking to extract some revenge. That task is going to be incredibly difficult without the star guard.
Per NBA.com’s advanced stats tool, the Warriors have a minus-8.1 scoring differential when Curry is on the bench so far this season. The stats support the eye test in this case.
When the sharpshooter rides the pine, the offense seemingly falls apart. The pick-and-rolls are not as sharp and also, players do not receive the ball in stride when they get open.
Andre Iguodala is a serviceable player as a backup point guard because he can handle the ball and occasionally create off the bounce. However, he’s not an elite player at the position whereas Curry is.
NBA.com’s advanced stats tool tells us that when Curry has been off the floor this season, Golden State has had the worst offense in the league. Yes, even the Utah Jazz have been better as a whole.
However, put him back on the floor and we are looking at the best offense in the league by a mile. The Dubs score 118.1 points per 100 possessions with their leader on the floor.
To put that into perspective, the league leading Miami Heat are scoring 110.4 points per 100 possessions so far in 2013-14. In other words, Curry is the difference between the top and the bottom of the league for the Warriors.
Golden State will probably have some issues with passing and shooting against a Grizzlies team that has previously prided itself on being one of the toughest teams in the league.
Their players push, scratch, fight and swipe at the ball. They are a physical bunch, but they will be shorthanded as well. Tony Allen will miss tonight’s game to serve a suspension for fulfilling his lifelong dream of bringing the WWE to the NBA.
Allen kicked Chris Paul in the head during a game against the Los Angeles Clippers in an attempt to set up his flying elbow from the top turnbuckle. Unlike me, the league did not see the humor in the kick and as a result, he is being punished.
His banishment is certainly not as impactful as Curry’s absence, but it does rob Memphis of its top defender. Hence, Klay Thompson might be in for a big night.