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Rapid Reaction: Memphis Grizzlies’ Game 1 Loss vs. Warriors

By Christian Dudley

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May 3, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors center Marreese Speights (5) during the second quarter in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Memphis Grizzlies came up short on Sunday afternoon in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Golden State Warriors.

The Memphis Grizzlies were close to seeing the return of Mike Conley today, but he decided to sit during Game 1 to recover a little longer until he makes an appearance to the floor. Regardless, the Grizzlies began today’s game in a neck-and-neck battle through the majority of the first quarter, but it quickly got out of hand. The Memphis Grizzlies seemed to make multiple solid runs, throughout the duration of today’s contest, but they could not fully get over the hump to contend for the lead.

Did you miss the early afternoon game? Let Beale Street Bears catch you up to speed with the happenings in Game 1.

Subpar Effort Level

May 3, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) is hit in the head by Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) while pursuing a loose ball during the third quarter in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Grizzlies 101-86. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

There were many points in the game where the vast majority of the Grizz players on the floor looked very uninspired. This lead to Draymond Green scoring a very quick 11 points in the first quarter in a variety of ways. Yes, it is a Game 1, so there was not a major level of desperation. Still, immediately coming out of halftime on the Memphis Grizzlies’ very first offensive possession, players walked up the floor. Courtney Lee pushed the ball and had to wait for his teammates to come down the floor and set screens.

It may have given Memphis a punch to the ribs by having high hopes for Conley’s return today and then him not actually making a return, but still, this squad needed to give it 110% today and they did not do that. There were bursts where they would play great, but then there were others were layups were missed, players would stand around, and no hustling was exerted. This MUST change in Game 2. I will say that Jeff Green continued to fight, even when the Grizz were down 20, as he kept forcing the ball in the paint and trying to rack up fouls on the Warriors. It was nice to see JG trying to step up in a big game.

Contain the Three-Point Shooters

The Memphis Grizzlies matched the Warriors in most major statistical categories in Game 1. Memphis very narrowly fell short in assists, blocks, and rebounds, yet they tied Golden State with 15 turnovers. It strictly came down to shooting, where the W’s excel the most.

May 3, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Jeff Green (32) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) during the second quarter in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Today, the Warriors attempted 28 threes and they connected on 13 of them–good for 46.4%. That is astounding for a team and very difficult to defeat, even with Memphis’ Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph each posting 20-point games. The Grizzlies made just three shots beyond the arc after taking 12 attempts (25%). Our squad is not a known for outside shooting and that most likely will not change this postseason, so the Grizzlies must, and I mean must, force Golden State off of the three-point line and/or make their trey-ball attempts even more difficult to nail. The W’s will be nearly impossible to beat if they are splashing home double digit quantities of three-pointers.

Build Upon It

All in all, the Memphis Grizzlies seemed to be much more in the game when they were down by 20 points than the scoreboard displayed. Despite it looking as if the Grizzlies’ full effort was not available on Sunday, Grizz Nation learned that it may not be as difficult as it appears to match the Golden State Warriors in this series. The defense was decent against Golden State and Conley could possibly return in Game 2. This series is definitely not over yet. Far from it, actually. All the Memphis Grizzlies need to do is steal Game 2 on the road and then take care of business at home in the Grindhouse.

The box score, produced by ESPN, can be found here.

Stay tuned to Beale Street Bears for all of the latest playoff coverage of your Memphis Grizzlies.

Go Grizz!

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