Subscribe
Follow Us
In Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals, the Memphis Grizzlies were able to hold their ground against the Golden State Warriors but eventually failed to put the finishing touches to absorb a 117-116 defeat. The game could've gone either way with both teams playing hard against each other all throughout the tilt. However, the Warriors were just the steadier squad down the stretch after making key plays on both ends of the floor to secure the victory and earn a 1-0 series lead.
The Grizzlies still have a chance to defend their home floor come Game 2 but they would need to make the necessary adjustments in order to successfully close out their opponents this time around. With that said, let's take a look at three adjustments the Grizzlies must make after suffering a Game 1 loss against the Warriors in the Western Conference Semifinals.
*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)*
3 adjustments Grizzlies must make after Game 1 loss
3. The Grizzlies must find their way inside to get better looks at the basket.
In this matchup, the Grizzlies are more favored in the paint due to the depth of their frontcourt unit which can create significant damage down low. Jaren Jackson Jr. had a great game headlined with 33 points and 10 rebounds but Memphis still fell short in terms of points in the paint. Golden State outscored them, 56-44, in that particular department which was a huge deal, given that the result of the game was merely decided by a single point.
Steven Adams' absence due to a positive COVID-19 test was a big hit for the Grizzlies in the middle. Xavier Tillman Sr. started in his place at the center position but couldn't make much of an impact after finishing with just two points and two rebounds. Brandon Clarke had a so-so game with 12 points and nine rebounds which didn't help the Grizzlies gain a significant advantage in the paint.
On the other hand, the Warriors lost their small-ball center in Draymond Green who was ejected due to a flagrant foul on Clarke. However, their guards were craftier in making plays and finding their way inside to score easy baskets. Guys like Jordan Poole, Andrew Wiggins, and Klay Thompson made it possible for the Warriors to get good looks near the basket and score high percentage shots.
This allowed the Warriors to shoot 48.4% from the field as compared to the Grizzlies' 43.2%. Surely enough, Memphis can learn a thing or two from how Golden State runs its offense which can be effective both from long distance and inside the paint. If their bigs can't get it done then their guards usually find a way to create space and open more opportunities for them to attack in various spots on the floor, including the shaded area.
2. Memphis must contain the Warriors from beyond the arc.
The Warriors didn't exactly have an efficient night shooting from beyond the arc as they only shot 36.8% as compared to the Grizzlies' 40%. However, it is important to mention that all 14 of their made three-point baskets only came from four guys namely Stephen Curry, Jordan Poole, Klay Thompson, and Andrew Wiggins.
In fact, the Grizzlies allowed both Curry and Poole to drain five three-pointers apiece which definitely decreased their chances of winning this game. Giving up that many shots to only two players, especially to a good shooting team like the Warriors is never acceptable in the playoffs. Memphis' assigned defenders must do a better job of bothering the shots being put up by the opposing shooters in order to limit their production on the floor.
If the Grizzlies didn't allow their opponents to get hot from beyond the arc then they could've had a better chance at coming away with the victory in Game 1.
1. Dillon Brooks and Desmond Bane must bounce back after coming out with dismal outings in Game 1.
It was Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. who put the team on their backs after scoring 34 and 33 points, respectively, in the opening game of this series. Though both players came out with high-scoring outings, it was their supporting cast that failed to follow through and provide the level of production that was expected from them.
Two key players in Dillon Brooks and Desmond Bane came out with subpar performances in Game 1 which hindered Memphis from keeping up with their opponents on offense. Ironically, it was both of them who scored 23 points apiece in Game 6 against the Minnesota Timberwolves to lead the Grizzlies to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals.
However, they failed to carry over their momentum in this series as Brooks settled with eight points, two rebounds, and three assists in 30 minutes of action while Bane was held to only nine points, a rebound, and an assist in 32 minutes played. There's no denying that the two players play a key role on both ends of the floor for the Grizzlies. The team would definitely need both of them to play at their best in order to increase their chances of keeping up with a loaded team like the Warriors.
A better level of production will be expected from Dillon Brooks and Desmond Bane as the Grizzlies try to get back at their opponents and even the series at 1 game apiece come Game 2.
