Warriors Need to Bounce Back Strong in Game 3 in Memphis

The NBA is taking a break on Thursday from the postseason as teams travel to their next city. The Golden State Warriors winners of the NBA Pacific division and the overall best record in the league are in a tough battle in their Western Conference semifinal best of seven series with the Memphis Grizzlies.

The series is tied 1-1 after two games after the Grizzlies beat the Warriors at Golden State 97-90 in Game 2. The last time the Warriors had lost a home game prior to Tuesday night’s loss, was in November when their nemesis the San Antonio Spurs showed up at Oracle Arena.

A loss was not in the plans for Golden State, especially on a night when Stephen Curry the Warriors talented guard was given his NBA MVP trophy during a pregame ceremony.

The Grizzlies were to get an inspired defensive performance from Tony Allen and an inspirational lift from Mike Conley, who played very well despite fractured bones in his face and a masked that constantly fogged up.

Memphis took the lead at 5-4 and never relinquished it the remainder of the game. Golden State made some runs but could not sustain any and was always just slow to the punch in the game.

Klay Thompson could only muster two assists but had five turnovers. He missed open shots, hesitated when open and lunged into the teeth of the Memphis defense more than once.

Golden State will need Thompson to improve in Game 3 or they could be in trouble on the road. Even Curry was not himself. He scored just 19 points but missed 12 of his 19 shots.

Curry was calm following the game saying the team is not going to hit just 6 of 26 shots that often and will not overreact to one shooting night that was poor.

Draymond Green the Warriors forward said nobody expects the team to lose at home, but that does not mean the world is coming to an end when we do lose.

The young team with little playoff experience is learning that life as the overwhelming favorite for just the first time includes huge expectations and does not eliminate pressure but amplifies it.

That is okay as long as Golden State can tighten up the process, move around the ball and play calmer through this crucible.

As Green said, the team must learn from its adversity and build from it as it is about the way the team bounces back and not about what took place earlier that cannot be changed.