Marc Gasol is the key for the Grizzlies to hang with the Warriors
The Golden State Warriors (20-3) have been setting the league on fire. Marc Gasol must deliver another All-Star performance to prevent a massacre.
After a record-breaking 73-9 season and the signing of Kevin Durant, many teams have the Golden State Warriors circled on their calendars. For the Memphis Grizzlies, they’re up next. Behind the excellence of Marc Gasol, the Grizzlies are riding a five-game winning streak without their ballers, Mike Conley and Chandler Parsons. Will they be able to slay the giant of the Golden State Warriors? If so, Marc Gasol needs to play like an All-Star, once again.
Big game from Big Spain
The absence of Mike Conley was a big blow for the Grizzlies. Luckily for them, their All-NBA center Marc Gasol has played the best basketball of his life. Over the past five games, Gasol has averaged 26.8 rebounds, 7.4 rebounds and 5.4 assists. He’s truly stepped up as a scorer and playmaker, since Conley has gone down.
Last game, against Portland, Marc Gasol dropped a season-high 36 points on a sizzling 4-for-6 shooting from downtown. It’s crazy to think, but for the Grizzlies to hang with the Warriors, he’ll have to play even better.
Because of Gasol’s expanded range, he draws opposing centers away from the basket. In doing so, Tony Allen and JaMychal Green have plenty of space to attack the basket. If Fizdale elects to have Randolph and Gasol in at the same time, ZBo will have room to operate in the post.
Marc Gasol has also been an elite post-player. This year, Grizzlies finally have outside threats. If the Warriors chose to double-team Marc in the post, it’ll open up opportunities for the rest of the offense. They must find the right holes in the defense. Furthermore, their remaining outside threats have to compensate for the losses of Mike Conley and Chandler Parsons by catching fire from beyond the arc.
If Marc Gasol capitalizes on open threes and plays aggressively, the Grizzlies will make life difficult against any team in the league, including the Warriors.
What it means for the Warriors
Without Conley, Parsons or Ennis, the Grizzlies can’t battle the Warriors with their own “Death Lineup.”
If the Warriors get hot with their Curry/Thompson/Iguodala/Durant/Green combo, it’ll be a long night in the FedEx Forum.
The best way for the Grizzlies to counteract it: prevent it.
If Marc Gasol’s post game is excellent once again, Steve Kerr can’t put Draymond Green on him. Despite Green’s elite post-defense, Marc Gasol’s size will be a strong advantage. Warriors will have to give Zaza Pachulia, David West or JaVale McGee more playing time.
How to watch/betting odds
WATCH: Fox Sports Southeast (or stream, ya know because the internet)
LISTEN: 92.9 ESPN radio (Memphis)
BETTING ODDS: Golden State Warriors (10); Over/Under (209).
Prediction
The atmosphere in the FedEx Forum should be exhilarating. However, the Grizzlies have enough firepower to defeat the Warriors.
Follow @BealeStBearsFS on Twitter for live updates on the game. #WeEnnis
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