5 biggest concerns for Memphis Grizzlies heading into Game 3 vs Golden State

No. 4: Will the Memphis Grizzlies get a refreshed Steven Adams for Game 3?

Grizzlies big man Steven Adams has missed the last three Grizzlies games due to being in Health & Safety Protocols.

However, reports surfaced that Adams has cleared protocols and is back with the team, which means he has a really good chance to compete in this series for the first time.

Adams’ clearance could not have come at a better time. The Grizzlies are going to be down a man (Dillon Brooks) and have gotten their butts kicked on the glass in Games 1 and 2.

Adams, the NBA’s regular-season leader in offensive rebounds, will be able to use his 265-pound frame to grab a ton of rebounds. Golden State’s heaviest player is around 230-pounds, which will give Adams a huge advantage.

It’s time to find out if Adams’ round-one performance was a fluke or indicative of a bigger issue.

No. 3: What if Golden State finds their three-point shot in Game 3?

Golden State was a solid 14-38 from beyond the arc in Game 1. They were an abysmal 7-38 in Game 2.

If the Warriors shoot as they did in Game 1, it’s going to be very hard for the Grizzlies to maintain that pace, on the road, and in a hostile environment.

The statistics say the Warriors will probably shoot better in Game 3. Stephen Curry made an average of 4.5 three-point shots per game during the 2021-22 regular season. He made just three in Game 2.

Same goes for Klay Thompson. Even though he had a smaller sample size (32 games), he made an average of 3.6 three-pointers per game during the regular season. Thompson made just two three-pointers in Game 2.

If each Splash Bro. hits their season average in game two, that’ll be anywhere from 6-12 additional points for the Warriors.

Even though the Warriors’ poor shooting was not really due to anything Memphis did defensively, the Grizzlies have to make it a focal point to lock down the perimeter.