The Golden State Warriors are beating the Memphis Grizzlies at their own game

After three games in this best-of-seven series between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Golden State Warriors, one thing has become strikingly apparent.

The Golden State Warriors are kicking the Grizzlies’ butts in the paint— easily. One thing that the Memphis Grizzlies did better than anyone in the NBA during the regular season was controlling what goes on in the paint.

Now, in the Western Conference Semifinals, the Grizzlies are getting beat at the one thing they’ve done better than anyone in the NBA all season long and it’s creating a domino-effect of problems for the team.

Golden State owning Memphis Grizzlies in the paint during playoffs

During the regular season, the Grizzlies were better than anyone in the NBA at scoring in the paint.

Memphis averaged 57.6 points in the paint per game—12.9 points more than the Golden State Warriors (44.7 PITP per game).

And, when it comes to rebounding, the Grizzlies were No. 1 in the NBA in rebounds per game, pulling in 49.2 boards per game during the regular sesason. The Warriors, on the other hand, averaged 45.5 rebounds per game.

The Warriors are obliterating the Grizzlies on both the rebounding front and points in the paint through the first three games of this series.

Game 1

Grizzlies: 47 REB
Warriors 52 REB

Grizzlies: 44 PITP
Warriors: 56 PITP

Game 2

Grizzlies: 49 REB
Warriors: 52 REB

Grizzlies: 42 PITP
Warriors: 60 PITP

Game 3

Grizzlies: 29 REB
Warriors: 38 REB

Grizzlies: 44 PITP
Warriors: 62 PITP

Memphis, normally in full control of the paint, has yet to win the rebounding battle or PITP differential.

The Grizzlies have to find a way to reclaim the paint. Golden State has utilized a zone defense that makes in nearly impossible for Ja Morant and his teammates to get good looks near the basket. The team has been settling for three-pointers instead, with mixed results.

Most fans thought the return of Steven Adams from Health & Safety Protocols would reverse the team’s misfortune in the paint, but Grizzlies Head Coach Taylor Jenkins refrained from playing Adams in Game 3 (until garbage time).

If the Grizzlies hope to make inroads in the paint, they are going to have to find a way to get Adams on the floor.