The Memphis Grizzlies head to San Francisco for a pivotal Game 3 vs the Golden State Warriors on May 7 at 7:30 PM CT on ABC.
Memphis played extremely well in Game 2, but it took a 47-point performance from Ja Morant and a terrible shooting night from the Warriors, and Memphis barely eked out a win.
With the series tied at 1-1, there is a lot at stake for the Grizzlies and I have several concerns for the team before tip-off.
No. 5: Can the Memphis Grizzlies handle a hostile Chase Center crowd?
There’s no doubt about it, the Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors, will be absolutely rocking in Game 3.
The passionate people of the Bay Area have not seen their Warriors play since April 27, making for a gap of about nine days in-between home games.
When you factor that, plus the vitriol that’s been building between these two squads after Draymond Green’s flagrant-2 foul on Brandon Clarke and Dillon Brooks’ flagrant-2 foul on Gary Payton II, you have all the ingredients for an explosive Game 3.
Warriors fans are going to be old, rowdy, and ready to help their home team win. How will Memphis respond to the raucous environment? Will the NBA’s second-youngest team rise to the occasion on the league’s biggest stage?
Communication and trust are going to be key for Memphis to have a chance to steal Game 3 from Golden State.