.png){kind=small}
*Photo via Getty Images
Following their first playoff loss this year and their first home loss since January, Warriors players and coaches reflected on their fairytale-esc season, Coach Steve Kerr calling it “dream-like”. In a night that Stephen Curry was donned the leagues Most Valuable Player we expected the Warriors to ride his high onto a convincing victory.
Mike Conley had other plans. Making his return to the court as “One Eyed Charlie”, Conley dropped 9 points in the first quarter to propel a Memphis team to a gritty road victory to even the series at one a piece. After a breeze of a series versus New Orleans, the Golden State Warriors were welcomed to the playoffs by a tested Grizzlies team eager to take the next step.
Admittedly, following a practice in Memphis, Draymond Green stated this was the first time his team has faced adversity all season. This isn’t exactly news, but the statement is telling. How will this young Warriors team respond? Especially at the heels of the Memphis Grizzlies, who have tasted their vulnerability and are ready to take the Warriors to only their fifth back-to-back loss this season.
The Warriors are now at a place they haven’t been this season: at a disadvantage. While it is hard to discount the Warriors and firepower and versatility, they have lost their home court and are now going into a bear fight with a team whose modus operandi is to brawl. In this light, the Warriors are no longer the favorites.
Memphis is going to bring the fight to the Warriors just like they did in Game 2, slowing the tempo and holding the Warriors to just 90 points is exactly where the Grizzlies want to be. With Mike Conley back in the lineup, Memphis was able to put more pressure on the Warriors’ guards who have led them all season. There’s no doubt the Warriors had an off shooting night, but there’s also no doubt that Conley’s presence had something to do with that.
For the Warriors to take a game in Memphis, either one of the Splash Brothers (or both) needs to have a breakout night a-la Steph Curry’s 38 and 10 against the Grizzlies on March 27th. There’s no doubt the Warriors will be outplayed inside, but will they be able to push the tempo and run the score?
The Warriors aren’t going to roll over just because they haven’t been in this position before. They are going to try to impose their will on the game, but ultimately it’s going to be Memphis that will control the game and the series. While this series can rests at the heels of Steph Curry, ultimately it is Mike Conley that will lead the all-unlikely Memphis Grizzlies past the once league’s favorite Golden State Warriors.