Golden State Warriors (21-2) at Memphis Grizzlies (19-4)
Tip-off: Tuesday, December 16th, 2014 – 5:00PM PDT
Location: FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN
TV: CSN Bay Area & ESPN | Radio: KNBR 680 AM
Livetweet: @LetsGoWarriors #LetsGoWarriorsLive
Projected Starting Lineups:
WARRIORS
PG: Stephen Curry (23.7 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 7.7 APG)
SG: Klay Thompson (21.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.5 APG)
SF: Harrison Barnes (11.2 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 1.5 APG)
PF: Draymond Green (13.4 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 3.0 APG)
C: Festus Ezeli (3.5 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 0.2 APG)
Head Coach: Steve Kerr (21-2, .913)
GRIZZLIES
PG: Mike Conley (17.8 PPG, 3.0 RPG. 6.3 APG)
SG: Courtney Lee (12.6 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 2.3 APG)
SF: Tony Allen (8.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.5 APG)
PF: Zach Randolph (16.2 PPG,11.0 RPG, 1.3 APG)
C: Marc Gasol (19.4 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 3.8 APG)
Head Coach: David Joerger (69-36, .657)
Last Time Out:
On Saturday 12/15/2014, Golden State extended their win streak to 16 straight wins by defeating the New Orleans Pelicans, 128-122
On Friday 12/13/2014, the Grizzlies defeated the Philidelphia 76ers in Philidelphia, 120-116, in a comeback overtime win.
On 3/28/2014, the Warriors beat the Grizzlies, 100-93.
On 12/7/2013, the Warriors traveled to Memphis and routed the Grizzlies, 108-82, who were without an injured Gasol, as Curry broke Jason Richardson‘s franchise three-point record. Golden State also broke an 11-game losing streak against the Grizzlies.
Game Notes:
Chris Herrington, who also a nice read of the Gasol/Z-Bo relationship, of the Memphis Commercial Appeal:
A couple of years ago, the Grizzlies memorably won a game down the stretch against the Warriors by switching Tony Allen onto Steph Curry and letting Mike Conley handle the bigger Klay Thompson. This season such a switch might start a chain reaction of size mismatches, with Courtney Lee then charged with guarding a small forward. So, look for Tayshaun Prince to play a role as well.
Noey Kupchan of AP/STATS:
The Grizzlies are 11-1 at home with the defeat coming by a 107-101 score against the Spurs on Dec. 5. Memphis is averaging 107.1 points at home compared to 97.2 on the road.
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The Grizzlies (19-4) return to FedExForum after a quick stop in Philadelphia, where they needed overtime to get past the woeful 76ers 120-115 on Saturday.
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Mike Conley scored a career-best 36 points and sent the game into OT with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer as Memphis stormed back from 18 down with 7:39 to go in regulation. Conley played a season high-tying 42 minutes for the second consecutive night for the Grizzlies, who ground out a 113-107 double-OT victory over Charlotte on Friday.
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“Mike Conley just said, `Hey, I’m not tired. I want to win. Leave me in. I’ll do whatever it takes,’ so I got him enough minutes,” coach David Joerger said. “It’s been a tough two games to be 2-0 when we could wake up tomorrow and be 0-2 on this stretch.”
Diamond Leung of the Bay Area News Group:
“I feel pretty confident with our team and our depth that we can compete no matter who’s out there,” Kerr said Monday.
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“You’ve got to be composed,” Warriors point guard Stephen Curry said. “You’re going to have to be tough-minded and tough physically and not turn the ball over against them, because that’s a recipe for disaster.”
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In Kerr’s mind, it’s no coincidence that Memphis joins the Warriors atop the standings. Conley, Gasol and Randolph have played together for the past six seasons.
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“I’m a huge believer in continuity and internal growth,” Kerr said. “The fact that we kept our team together, you can see that the foundation that’s been laid here the past couple of years is now even blossoming because of that continuity. Memphis is the same way.”
- “David Lee (hamstring) and Andrew Bogut (knee) have been ruled out for Tues. Memphis game. Harrison Barnes (broken nose) is questionable.” — Rusty Simmons, San Francisco Chronicle
- “Steve Kerr said he’d be shocked if Harrison Barnes doesn’t play Tuesday. He’ll wear a protective mask…Harrison Barnes will play with a generic mask tonight and then will get fitted for one when the team returns to the Bay Area.” — Simmons
#BlackFalcon with the broken beak! RT @Rusty_SFChron: H.Barnes…expected to play tonight with this protective mask. pic.twitter.com/OHe0xSaZX2
— Let’s Go Warriors 💦💛💙 (@LetsGoWarriors) December 16, 2014
- “Dante Cunningham‘s elbow left Harrison Barnes with a mouth laceration, chipped teeth and a nasal fracture. Warriors are not happy…Video will be sent to league.” — Leung
- “Warriors announce that Andrew Bogut (right knee tendinitis) is out vs Griz” — Ronald Tillery, Memphis Commercial Appeal
- “Draymond Green on the Memphis Grizzlies: ‘It’s going to be a physical game. They don’t throw cheap shots, though.’ — Leung
- “Text exchange among ex-teammates: Tony Allen: ‘Oooh I can’t wait to play y’all.’ Marreese Speights: ‘Yeah bro I already know.’ #iswea” — Leung
- Per Simmons, Doug Collins (not Mark Jackson) will commentate the nationally televised game for ESPN.
- “Steve Kerr is looking to set the record for most consecutive wins by a rookie head coach (16, Mike Dunleavy, Sr.” — NBA TV
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