Colin Rafferty –
Your Memphis Grizzlies are on the road tonight against the Golden State Warriors. Both teams come into the game with a 2-1 record.
Coming off a big win over the Pacers the Grizzlies look to keep the vibes high. Warriors who have wins over the Lakers and Nuggets, lost their most recent game to a head coach-less Portland Trailblazers 139-113.
This is a big game even if it is 4 games in. The Warriors are filled with older vets and some young guys who are not quite yet polished pro players.
So to get an early win againt them would be great.
By the numbers, the Warriors and Grizz are relatively similiar teams so far this season. Warriors rank 6th in total offense, Grizz 7th. The Grizz are 17th in point differential, Warriors 18th. Team defensive the Grizz rank 21st, the Warriors tied at 26th with the Wizards and Raptors.
So, in theory, it should be a good tight game. The Grizzlies do hold an edge in team defense. In large part to the play on Saturday.
Sure they still have Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green; but the Grizz have youth and swagger. A combo Warrior fans know all too well.
Vince Williams Jr. who has yet to see the regular season court, has now been downgraded to OUT with heel soreness. A tough start to a season for a player who hasn’t had the time to show his ability throughout his career.
The Warriors will be without ex-Grizz player De’Anthony Melton and Al Horford.
Be on the look out for Draymond to do Draymond things as he has always had a back and forth with the Grizzlies fans, team, and well everything Memphis.
Jock Landale and Co. need to be on the lookout for Green’s pestering or we could see some foul trouble like in the first game.
The Warriors have had the Grizzlies number for the last few games. The Grizzlies are 2-6 against the Warriors since the beginning of 2024.
With the surge of Cedric Coward, Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. should have the enough to keep with the Warriors if they are shooting well from outside.
The Grizz have not been great the past few years defending the three-point line, so they will have to be on the defensive rope like they were on Saturday.
Defense is all effort and communication. The Grizz showed that against the Pacers, so let’s hope it’s not another Jekyll and Hyde performance and continue to be the one that teams don’t want to face.
The game will tip-off at 9:00 CST, Grizz fans be ready for a couple of long nights as the West Coast trips will do this.
Side Note: It’s a brother game tonight as Cam Spencer’s younger brother Pat Spencer is on the Warriors.
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