{"id":47314,"date":"2022-05-16T10:02:04","date_gmt":"2022-05-16T14:02:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=47314"},"modified":"2022-05-16T10:02:35","modified_gmt":"2022-05-16T14:02:35","slug":"golden-state-warriors-beat-memphis-grizzlies-and-return-to-west-finals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2022\/05\/16\/golden-state-warriors-beat-memphis-grizzlies-and-return-to-west-finals\/","title":{"rendered":"Golden State Warriors Beat Memphis Grizzlies and Return to West Finals"},"content":{"rendered":"

The series that started with back-to-back ejections ends with the Grizzlies being ejected from the playoffs.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Golden State Warriors beat Memphis 110-96 in Game 6 and sealed their series victory. Injuries and suspensions overshadowed the on-court results of the first three games. Golden State overcame <\/span>Draymond Green<\/b><\/a>\u2019s ejection as the Warriors beat Memphis in Game 1. <\/span>Dillon Brooks<\/b><\/a> was suspended in Game 2 after injuring <\/span>Gary Payton II<\/b><\/a>. <\/span>Ja Morant<\/b><\/a> was injured in Game 3 and wouldn’t return.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Grizzlies reformed their identity on the fly, doubling down on physicality and stifling defense in Morant\u2019s absence. They were able to extend the series and even crushed the Warriors by nearly 40 points in Memphis, but were unable to advance to the next round. There\u2019s plenty to learn from this series, and plenty to celebrate as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

Golden State Warriors Beat Memphis Grizzlies and Return to West Finals<\/h2>\n

Game 6 Thoughts<\/b><\/h3>\n

Klay Thompson<\/b><\/a> was brilliant for Golden State in Game 6. The Warriors beat Memphis because of his star turn, which included hot shooting and some of <\/span>his best defense<\/span><\/a> since his Jan. 9th return. Thompson blocked <\/span>Desmond Bane<\/b><\/a> and <\/span>Tyus Jones<\/b><\/a> in a three-minute fourth-quarter stretch and managed to force a turnover by stripping the ball off Brooks in between. <\/span>Kevon Looney<\/b><\/a> and <\/span>Andrew Wiggins<\/b><\/a> were tremendous, providing exceptional rebounding and timely two-way play, respectively. <\/span>Stephen Curry<\/b><\/a> provided enough scoring in the fourth to seal the win.<\/span><\/p>\n

Green was uncharacteristically aggressive as a scorer, which was a welcome surprise for the Warriors. <\/span>Steven Adams<\/b><\/a> and <\/span>Jaren Jackson Jr.<\/b><\/a> ignored Green and Looney to crowd the paint and discourage drives from perimeter players. Green pushed the pace in transition and converted enough layups and floaters to remain a threat. He finished with 14 points, his most in a game since Dec. 20th.<\/span><\/p>\n

Memphis continued their impressive run of play without Morant. The rugged Grizzlies defense forced countless turnovers and rushed shots. Brooks and <\/span>Desmond Bane<\/b><\/a> capably carried the scoring load. The Grizzlies lost this game on the glass despite these efforts. The Warriors\u2019 70 rebounds were the <\/span>most in a playoff game since 1983<\/span><\/a>. The Warriors beat Memphis by overcoming the Grizzlies\u2019 size advantage, and Memphis will spend the summer wondering how it happened.<\/span><\/p>\n

Series Takeaways for the Warriors<\/b><\/h3>\n

The rebounding edge Golden State showed in Game 6 isn\u2019t new; the Warriors beat Memphis by dominating the glass. The Grizzlies won the battle of the boards in Game 5 only. The Warriors were a <\/span>top-10 team in rebounding<\/span><\/a> all season, and that\u2019s a big part of this team\u2019s identity. It will need to continue in the Western Conference Finals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Warriors\u2019 rebounding helps keep the possession game equal because turnovers are clearly also part of the team\u2019s identity. Golden State\u2019s offensive potency means having an equal number of shot attempts as their opponent should make them the favorite to win any game. Their turnover rate, second-to-last in the league, makes attempting an equal number of shots a challenge for this squad. Memphis had personnel well-suited to take advantage of these issues, but so will the Dallas Mavericks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Most importantly, the Warriors beat Memphis in a variety of ways. Games 1, 2, and 4 were tense affairs decided in crunch time, and the Warriors went 2-1. Games 3, 5, and 6 were all decided by double-digits, and the Warriors went 2-1. Curry, Thompson, and Green form an aging but experienced core with a dynastic pedigree. Wiggins\u2019 athletic two-way play in the postseason has solidified his place in the closing lineup. Looney, <\/span>Jordan Poole<\/b><\/a>, and <\/span>Otto Porter Jr.<\/b><\/a> are potential closers with vastly different skills, to be included when the matchup dictates. Golden State\u2019s closing lineup and postseason identity are forming before our eyes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Series Takeaways for the Grizzlies<\/b><\/h3>\n

Warriors in 6 was a commonly-predicted outcome for this series at the beginning. That result ends up being a testament to the fortitude of the Grizzlies in light of Morant\u2019s injury. The Warriors beat Memphis in this series but didn’t dominate despite Morant\u2019s absence. The Grizzlies\u2019 athleticism and knowledge of the Warriors\u2019 offense made them a heavy weight to bear (sorry) for Golden State.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The advantages that led to so many turnovers and transition opportunities didn\u2019t translate on the glass, however. The Warriors had the rebounding advantage in both Game 4 and 6, despite Adams\u2019 return as a starter. The 70-44 rebounding disadvantage in Game 6 is especially painful considering the team was down one with 6:30 left in the fourth. Memphis\u2019 diligence taking away the Warriors\u2019 passing lanes needed to transfer to boxing out.<\/span><\/p>\n

Memphis will absolutely use this opportunity to better themselves. Their young players will improve as well; Jackson\u2019s fouling and Brooks\u2019 shot selection are two examples of issues that can get better with time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Next Steps for the Warriors<\/b><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s imperative Golden State get as healthy as possible. The Warriors beat Memphis without Porter but will need his presence as a 6\u20198\u201d rebounder and shooter next round. If <\/span>Andre Iguodala<\/b><\/a> is physically able to return, all the better. Payton was initially ruled out until at least the Finals, and the Warriors\u2019 perimeter defense will be tested in Conference Finals against Dallas.<\/span><\/p>\n

Luka Don\u010di\u0107<\/b><\/a> and the Mavericks present a much different challenge than Memphis. Morant was a speedy, athletic point guard who relentlessly attacked the paint, but Don\u010di\u0107 <\/span>is an even tougher<\/span><\/a> test. He\u2019s incredibly strong and methodical, content to bludgeon smaller defenders in the post and pull smooth step-back threes over bigger players. Thompson and Wiggins will alternate guarding Don\u010di\u0107, and expect Green to take the assignment in crunch time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jalen Brunson<\/b><\/a> and Game 7 hero <\/span>Spencer Dinwiddie<\/b><\/a> provide supplemental scoring. The Mavs morphed into a strong defensive unit with size and mobility at all positions during the regular season. That helped Dallas win the season series against the Warriors 3-1, although Green played in only one of those games.<\/span><\/p>\n

Next Steps for the Grizzlies<\/b><\/h3>\n

Nothing for Memphis is as important as Morant\u2019s health. Their focus next season should be managing his minutes to keep him healthy for the playoffs. He only averaged 33.1 this regular season, which is a reasonable total. But Morant missed 10 games down the stretch with knee issues and was sidelined while the Warriors beat Memphis. Morant will surely be getting a max extension on his rookie contract this summer despite those health issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

Memphis\u2019 front office could use this season to trade players they don\u2019t view as long-term fits. Brooks and Adams could find themselves in different uniforms next offseason. Alternatively, they could try to package some quality young players with future draft picks and try to trade for a wing scorer. Memphis should show interest in <\/span>Jerami Grant<\/b><\/a>, <\/span>Bogdan Bogdanovi\u0107<\/b><\/a>, and restricted free agent <\/span>Miles Bridges<\/b><\/a>. <\/span>Kyle Anderson<\/b><\/a> and <\/span>Tyus Jones<\/b><\/a> are their significant free agents. Memphis has roughly $20 million in cap space and can expect to re-sign one of those players.<\/span><\/p>\n

Memphis is fortunate to be young, deep, and extremely talented; they can use next regular season to experiment. Give <\/span>Ziaire Williams<\/b><\/a> more offensive creation responsibility during the season. His rookie year suggests his ceiling as a player is <\/span>Paul George<\/b><\/a>, and they have similar rookie-season roles and stats. Jackson and Bane suggest more offensive potential, as well. Memphis will need internal improvement and health from Morant to capitalize on their postseason experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

Main Photo
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>