Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images

Tip Off: 7:30 PM (PST)

Projected Starters

Washington                                                         Golden State

PG – Mike Conley                                               Monta Ellis

SG –  Tony Allen                                                  Dominic McGuire

SF –  Rudy Gay                                                     Dorell Wright

PF –  Marreese Speights                                     David Lee

C –     Marc Gasol                                                 Andris Biedrins

Scope the opposition: Get your Grizzlies fix at 3 Shades of Blue.

Preview: The Golden State Warriors just completed a six-game road trip with a win in Washington Monday night and will be playing their first home game since February 20th, when they host the Memphis Grizzlies tonight. The Griz are currently riding a four-game winning streak and will begin a three-game road trip with their first stop at Oracle Arena tonight.

The last time these two teams met on February 18th, the Warriors looked as though they were on their way to stealing a game on the road until the Grizzlies essentially stole it write back in a 104-103 victory.

Golden State converted 42.7 percent of their field goal attempts but shot 12-of-26 from 3-point range to keep the pressure on Memphis. In addition, the Dubs defense forced 19 turnovers.

How did they manage to lose the game?

Memphis just wanted it more.

The Grizzlies dominated the boards as well as the paint as evidenced by their 44 points in the paint and their 38 free throw attempts.

Memphis’ strengths consist of their interior scoring, rebounding and ability to force turnovers. Thus, it’s more than likely that we will see these characteristics present themselves in the contest tonight.

However, in order for the Warriors to be victorious, they will have to take away one of their strengths. It’s obviously easier said than done, but it will be a must tonight at Oracle Arena.

In two games against Memphis this season, Golden State has struggled in these areas and has seen their opponent walk away victorious with the contest coming down to the wire as the Grizzlies executed better late in the game.

When the Warriors have exhibited patience against the Grizzlies defense, they have been able to generate some terrific looks from long-range and connect on them. Indeed, the Dubs have converted 21-of-51 looks from 3-point range against Memphis this year (41.2 percent) and should be able to build on that success provided that they do not try to force action and dribble into traffic.

This contest should come down to the wire and go to the team that makes the least amount of mistakes down the stretch.

Questions or comments? Feel free to leave them in the comments section or you can contact me by email at [email protected].