The Golden State Warriors evened the Eastern Conference Semifinals with a much-needed Game 4 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, and they're now trying to retake control of the series. Can they do just that, or will the Grizzlies push them to the brink of elimination?
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 Courtney Lee – 10.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg
F Jeff Green – 13.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg
F Zach Randolph – 16.1 ppg, 10.5 rpg
C Marc Gasol – 17.4 ppg, 7.8 rpg
What to watch for:
Can the Splash Bros. take over with Tony Allen hurt?
Allen is Memphis' lockdown perimeter defender, and he's one of the best defenders in the entire league. He's also the biggest reason why Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson have struggled for most of the series, but he's expected to miss tonight's game with a hamstring injury (he'll be extremely limited if he does play). Curry and Thompson need to take advantage by having big games with him out, and if they do, the Warriors will win this one easily.
Can Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph dominate?
Golden State is a very versatile team, but Memphis is most successful playing a grind-it-out style that relies on their post players. Gasol and Randolph have carried the Grizzlies to the Western Conference Finals in the past by playing this style, but it puts a lot of pressure of them to control each and every game. The duo’s role is enhanced because of the injury to Allen, putting all of the pressure on them to control the tempo of the game with their physical style of play. If they can turn tonight's game into a half-court affair, Memphis has a chance to win.
Prediction: Warriors win 113-98
I think both Curry and Thompson will both have great games tonight with Allen out, giving us the kind of game we've come to expect from the Warriors this season at Oracle Arena.
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