Gameday: Curry set to return as Warriors look to bounce back vs Grizzlies

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OAKLAND -- The sagging Warriors'offense needs a boost. Maybe Stephen Curry can provide it Saturday afternoon, when he’s expected to rejoin his teammates against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Coverage on NBC Sports Bay Area begins at 4:30, with tipoff at Oracle Arena scheduled for 5:35.

Curry has missed the last 11 games, with the Warriors going 9-2 in his absence. But the Warriors (28-8), who averaged 117 points through their first 25 games, have failed to go over 100 in four of their last six. They’re coming off a 111-100 loss to sub-mediocre Charlotte on Friday night.

The Grizzlies (11-24) have had their troubles this season, though, losing 18 of 22 games since point guard Mike Conley was sidelined on Nov. 14.

BETTING LINE

Warriors by 13.5

MATCHUP TO WATCH

Curry & Co. vs. Tyreke Evans: The production of these two point guards will go far to determine who wins this game. Though Curry won’t be the primary defender on Evans -- that assignment will go to Klay Thompson -- it’s still about what Curry and Evans are able to do for their teams. Curry has been out since Dec. 4 and will have to shake off some rust. Evans has been Memphis’ best player over past month. He’s coming off a 32-point, seven-rebound, seven-assist game against the Lakers on Wednesday.

INJURY REPORT

Warriors: F Omri Casspi (R ankle sprain), Curry (R ankle sprain), F Andre Iguodala (L knee soreness) and G Klay Thompson (low back tightness) are listed as probable. C Damian Jones is on assignment with the G-League Santa Cruz Warriors.

Grizzlies: F Brandan Wright (L quad strain) is listed as probable. F JaMychal Green (R knee soreness) and F Wayne Selden Jr. (R quad tendinopathy) are listed as questionable. G Mike Conley (L Achilles soreness) and F Chandler Parsons (R knee soreness) are listed as out.

LAST 10

Warriors: 8-2. Grizzlies: 3-7.

GAME OFFICIALS

Mike Callahan (crew chief), Nick Buchert, Tre Maddox

SERIES HISTORY

The teams split the first two of their three-game series this season, the Grizzlies winning 111-101 on Oct. 21 in Memphis and the Warriors taking a 97-84 victory on Dec. 20 in Oakland. The teams split a four-game series last season. In three seasons under Steve Kerr, the Warriors are 9-4 against Memphis.

THREE THINGS TO WATCH

THE STEPH SHOW: Though it’s unfair to expect Curry to play at his usual high level after a 26-day absence, all eyes will be on him to see exactly what he can deliver. He should benefit from the absence of Conley, a very good defender. Neither Andrew Harrison nor Evans is particularly strong in that area. The Warriors are excited to get their leader back, though, and that ought to a jolt of energy at both ends.

THE GIFTS: The common thread in Warriors losses is turnovers. They average 18.6 giveaways in losses, leading to 25.9 points for opponents. In beating the Warriors in October, the Grizzlies scored 24 points off turnovers. In losing to Charlotte on Friday, The Warriors gave the Hornets 32 points off turnovers. When the Warriors give up that many easy points, they can lose to any team in the league.

THE CONTRASTING PACES: The Grizzlies are the most deliberate team in the NBA, ranking dead last in pace. The Warriors are fifth in pace, but managed to beat Memphis at its own game 10 days ago. They don’t want to make a habit of this. With Curry back, expect the Warriors push at every opportunity, even at the risk of the occasional turnover.

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