Warriors vs. Grizzlies Game 2 Preview & Prediction

The Golden State Warriors cruised to an easy victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1, and are looking to continue their dominance on their home floor. Can they do just that in Game 2, or will the Grizzlies even the series?

Projected Starting Lineups

(1) Golden State Warriors (67-15)

G Stephen Curry – 23.8 ppg, 7.7 apg, 2.1 spg
G Klay Thompson – 21.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg
F Harrison Barnes – 10.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg
F Draymond Green – 11.7 ppg, 8.2 rpg
C Andrew Bogut – 6.3 ppg, 8.1 rpg

(5) Memphis Grizzlies (55-27)

G Mike Conley, Jr. – 15.8 ppg, 5.4 apg

G Tony Allen – 7.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg

G Courtney Lee – 10.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg

F Zach Randolph – 16.1 ppg, 10.5 rpg

C Marc Gasol – 17.4 ppg, 7.8 rpg

What to watch for:

Will Mike Conley play?

Mike Conley has been practicing with the Grizzlies all series, but he missed Game 1 and is questionable in Game 2 due to facial fractures suffered in Memphis’ previous series against Portland. Memphis is giving him every opportunity to play, and Conley wants to after seeing his team struggle without him, so we expect him to be on the court.

Memphis has the bodies in the post to contend with Andrew Bogut and Draymond Green, but Conley’s presence as a perimeter defender and active body on the run (not to mention his scoring) will be crucial in the team’s attempts to check Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in this game and all series.

Can Memphis make shots from three-point range?

Golden State has the highest scoring offense in the league, and they've carried over that regular season success into the postseason. Memphis' defense - also one of the best in the league - couldn't do much to slow the Warriors down, so they'll have to improve their scoring to stay in this series. They shot just 25 percent from long range in Game 1, a number that will need to increase drastically if they want to have any chance to win this game.

Prediction: Warriors win 105-91

The Warriors have only lost two games at home all season, and they're not going to start struggling at Oracle Arena overnight. They'll have a great game offensively, and Memphis doesn't have enough firepower to keep up with them.