PROGRAMMING NOTE: Warriors Pregame Live begins at 7:00 on CSN Bay Area, with the opening tip slated for 7:30. Log on and chat with Matt Steinmetz during the first quarter! Also, when the game is over, don't change the channel as Warriors Postgame Live starts immediately following the final buzzer.
The Warriors return home after a five-game road trip and arelooking to build some momentum. But theyll have to do it against the MemphisGrizzlies, a team that has won eight of their past nine games.The Warriors (15-20) knocked off the Washington Wizards inthe final game of the trip on Monday, and now theyll try to erase the memoryof two tough losses earlier in the season to Memphis (22-15).On Jan. 23, the Warriors blew a 20-point lead in the secondhalf and wound up losing to Memphis 91-90. On Feb. 18, Memphis shooting guardTony Allen converted an offensive rebound in the final seconds to help give theGrizzlies a 104-103 win in Memphis.REWIND: Warriors self-destruct in 4th, fall to Grizzlies 91-90
Here are some things to watch for during Wednesday nightsgame:Rebounding: Although the Grizzlies aremissing their All-Star power forward Zach Randolph, they are still a big andphysical frontline with Marc Gasol and Marreese Speights. In the Grizzlies104-103 victory on Feb. 18, Memphis outrebounded the Warriors 45-31, and gaveup multiple second shots in the fourth quarter.REWIND: W's fall in Memphis, despite big nights from Monta, Curry
The Warriors front line of Ekpe Udoh and David Lee have tomake a conscientious effort to rebound, and its also imperative that theteams perimeter players get in there and help out in that area.Limit turnovers: Over the course of theseason, turnovers have periodically hurt the Warriors. There are some games theWarriors treat the ball quite well, and consequently they usually have moresuccess in those games. But too often this season careless turnovers have hurtthe Warriors. The most recent time that occurred was in Sundays loss atToronto when turnovers in the fourth quarter cost them.In the teams first meeting, the Warriors completely melteddown in the fourth period, committing nine turnovers and giving away whatshould have been a victory.Make 3-pointers: There was no betterindication of how important the 3-point shot is to the Warriors than on theirrecent five-game road trip. During the first four games of the trip, theWarriors went just 13-for-71 from beyond the arc (18.3 percent). Notsurprisingly, the won just one of those gamesa low-scoring, grind-it-out85-82 victory against Atlanta.On the final game of the road trip, the Warriors broke outand made 15-of-23 from 3-point range, and not coincidentally, blew outWashington 120-100.Scrap early: There is a school of thoughtin the NBA that a teams first game back after a lengthy road trip is adifficult one to play because it feels like another road gamewhat with thetravel back to your hometown the previous day.Thats why its important that the Warriors starters comeout with energy early and that the bench then follows through.