5 Keys for Memphis Grizzlies to Avoid Elimination in Game 6

May 13, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward David Lee (10) during the fourth quarter in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Grizzlies 98-78. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Memphis Grizzlies will attempt to avoid elimination from the 2015 NBA Playoffs on Friday evening as they face the Golden State Warriors in Game 6 of the semifinal round.

The Memphis Grizzlies are in a tough position. Their backs are against the wall as they trail the Golden State Warriors in their semifinal round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs–down three games to two–heading into a critical Game 6 in Memphis.

This is make or break for the Grizz. Will they force a Game 7? Or will there be an abrupt end to their title hopes? Grizz Nation will be doing their part in support of our beloved Memphis Grizzlies and hopefully the players do theirs with a victory in the sixth contest of the best-of-seven.

There are many factors for the Grizzlies in notching a crucial victory on Friday night, but what are five of the most glaring keys to achieve success?

Beale Street Bears has the rundown directly below.

1. Bring the energy, hustle, and effort.

In the Grizzlies’ three losses in this series, a major factor has been what seems to be uninspired performances by the majority of the players. They get outran by the Warriors once Golden State knocks down several quick long-range shots. The Ws are a jump-shooting team and the Grizz must realize that this is a game of runs and anything is possible against this particular opponent because there will definitely be a fluctuation during the course of the game because Stephen Curry will be hot at times and then Draymond Green and others may become severely cold on offense for various segments of the game.

May 13, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) and guard Mike Conley (11) knock the ball away from Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in the second quarter in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

If Memphis can force a high level of energy on both ends of the floor, set solid screens on offense, and hustle for rebounds and loose balls, they will have an excellent shot at forcing a Game 7–sending the series back to Oakland, California. These aspects of the game come from within the Memphis Grizzlies themselves. This is not the time to disappoint the home crowd.

2. Feed off of the home crowd.

Grizz Nation is one of the most supportive fan bases in the entire NBA, so it is a no-brainer to assume that the home crowd inside the Grindhouse will be going insane during Friday’s Game 6. From this, the Memphis Grizzlies need to consume the energy early in the game and maintain a lead through the first half. The crowd’s energy may be the biggest aid in helping M-Town pull off the upset and achieve another win over the Warriors.

The Grizzlies’ second unit has had major deficiencies on the offensive side of the game. Perhaps a home game–behind their home crowd–is what the reserves need to jumpstart their scoring abilities. Memphis’ bench produced just 17 bench points and that will not do when they play a powerful Golden State roster. Vince Carter and Jeff Green have no other option than to step up offensively; otherwise, the Grizz could be goin’ fishin’ just halfway into the month of May.

3. Let Z-Bo take over.

May 11, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) jump up for the loose ball in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports

The Memphis Grizzlies’ Zach Randolph was a man on a mission in Wednesday’s Game 5. “Z” scored 11 of his team’s first 14 points and provided an early first quarter lead for his squad. After the first period, Randolph scored just two more points in the entire game. This was largely in part of Zach receiving very few touches for offense after the first 12 minutes of play. That absolutely must change. The Grizzlies’ starting power forward was hot on offense–even nailing a three-pointer (just Zach’s third trey ball all-time in his postseason career)–and Memphis did not utilize him on offense as well as they should. FEED #50!

Additionally, in Wednesday’s first quarter, Z-Bo committed three turnovers. In the final three quarters combined, he made just one more turnover. Perhaps Zach was out of control on a few early possessions as he had a high energy level, but those turnovers allowed the Golden State Warriors to get back into the game almost immediately in the final two minutes of Game 5 first quarter. No Grizzlies’ lead will be large enough until the final buzzer sounds on Friday night.

4. Control the rebounding battle.

Memphis has been continuously outrebounding on the glass throughout this series by Golden State. That is unacceptable given the fact that the Grizzlies have such a prestigious frontcourt on both ends of the floor, led by Z-Bo, Marc Gasol, and Kosta Koufos. The Grizz should own the advantage in strength and they do own the advantage in the strength department in comparison to the Warriors’ frontcourt, so M-Town cannot fault in this category. You know something is wrong when Curry–one of the smallest players in the league–grabs seven rebounds in one game, as he did on Wednesday. The Grizzlies can show that they want to take this game more than the Ws by maintaining control of the boards. If they fail to do so, it may very well be another long game and a disappointing night for Memphis.

5. Avoid careless turnovers and poor possessions.

This is Game 6! The Western Conference Semifinals. The time is NOW for the Memphis Grizzlies. They must act and play as if they want this victory more than the Golden State Warriors. The Grizz put a little bit of a scare into the Warriors earlier in this season when Memphis led 2-1 in the series, but now that Golden State has regained control, it is absolute go-time for M-Town. They must play the smartest and most efficient basketball that they have played all season–and postseason.

May 13, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) backs down Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) in the first quarter in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Memphis has actually kept pace with the Warriors in the turnover department and lost possessions have not been that much of a factor for the Grizz–surprisingly. However, our team was becoming used to only tallying five or so turnovers per game in the first round. They are averaging more than 10 more than that in this second round series. That is a major difference, even against more difficult competition.

The Grizzlies need to become better on offense and play more efficiently overall in Game 6. Everyone–Grizz fans, the players, the coaches–needs to be on the same page. Memphis has a great opportunity to tie the series yet again. Will it happen? There is still a lot of basketball to be played. We will all find out beginning at 8:30 P.M. Central on Friday night.

Keep it locked to Beale Street Bears as your Memphis Grizzlies prepare to take on the Golden State Warriors in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals! Rise up, Grizz Nation!

Go Grizz!

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