May 3, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates with forward Draymond Green (23) during the third quarter in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Grizzlies 101-86. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
It’s not supposed to seem this casual.
The Golden State Warriors are defying basketball logic. Once incapable of even making the playoffs, they’ve now transformed into an NBA powerhouse that is expected to waltz through the second round of the playoffs.
-== 5 Reasons Why the Warriors Will Beat the Grizzlies ==-
The Memphis Grizzlies were without Mike Conley — who expects to play at some point during the series – but Game 1 on Sunday afternoon was as businesslike a win as the Warriors have had this season.
“We were pretty comfortable and pretty composed, “ said Stephen Curry following his team’s 101-86 victory. “Just ready for the moment and didn’t try to do too much and win the game in the first three minutes like we did pretty much every game in the last series.”
May 3, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) follows through on a three-point basket next to Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) during the first quarter in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Emotions were clearly running high in Game 1 of the previous series against the New Orleans Pelicans. Despite the sweep, the Warriors never established their style of basketball for an extended period of time until Game 4. Heroics aside, the Warriors haven’t played their best basketball yet, and that’s a scary proposition for not only the Grizzlies but for any upcoming foe.
“We executed a lot better in Game 4 of the New Orleans series than we did tonight,” said head coach Steve Kerr. “I always feel like when you get to the second round, there’s a sense of, okay, we’ve got one under our belt, and the first round is always a little tricky.”
The Warriors opened up the game with contributions from not just Curry and Klay Thompson, but Draymond Green, who hit three treys on his way towards an 11-point first quarter. Green was freed up on multiple high screen-and-rolls, leaving the Grizzlies with the near impossible task of guarding Curry in single coverage or leaving Green free beyond the three-point line.
The Grizzlies tried everything they could to guard Curry, even a lineup without a point-guard. It didn’t matter, as Curry was still able to hit his standard array of difficult shots with a dash of spicy passes. An injured Conley warmed up before the game, and his presence would’ve changed the process, but not the result.
“It’s pretty tough, but a lot of our guys were very engaged and tried to make it tough on him,” said head coach Dave Joerger. “He makes tough shots and you’ve got to keep your head up and keep pushing forward.”
Joerger’s tone wasn’t one of defeat, but contentment. A Grizzlies team without Conley will have to play a near perfect game to win a game this series. The Warriors can switch Green or Bogut on either Grizzly big, and without their starting point guard infiltrating the Warriors defense with drives, kick-outs and pick-and-rolls, they simply have no logical response.
May 3, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) makes a three point basket in front of Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) during the second quarter in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
That’s not to say the Grizzlies can’t find a way. They’re a team built on grit, grind and the ability to muscle their way to a win. Marc Gasol, the usual protagonist inside, said after the game it wasn’t physical at all. A possible preview of what’s to come, Gasol knows their best chance at stealing games is early foul trouble for the opposing bigs and imposing their will in and around the paint.
That’ll be tough for the Grizzlies given Green and Bogut’s presence, but even more so if Festus Ezeli and to a lesser degree Mo Speights are wreaking their own type of havoc for the Memphis bigs. Memphis failed to move the ball well and couldn’t facilitate tough screens throughout, which made both Golden State units the swarming monsters they’ve known to become.
This isn’t so much an obituary for the Grizzlies as it is the realization that there’s not much hope. If Conley miraculously comes back and performs to the level we’ve accustomed to seeing him, this series can change, but only in the interim. The Warriors are the better team and have the weapons to limit the Grizzlies’ strengths.
It was a team effort in Game 1, with additional stellar play from Harrison Barnes – who finished with 11 points on 4-for-4 shooting, three rebounds and a team-high +18 — and the bench unit. The Grizzlies guards could (and should) play better moving forward, but it might not be enough.
Their potential opponent in the next round will disagree, but the Warriors are simply that good.