Tony Allen missed Game 5 of the Warriors Grizzlies series with a hamstring injury, and Golden State routed Memphis.
He obviously wants to do whatever he can to avoid that outcome in Game 6 Friday.
Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports:
Grizzlies guard Tony Allen said he will play in Game 6 despite hamstring injury.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) May 14, 2015
This might sound like a player getting caught up in the emotion of a loss, but Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger talked before Game 5 about getting Allen ready for Friday. So, this doesn’t seem like an overly optimistic timeline.
Unfortunately for Memphis, Allen might not make enough of a difference.
The Grizzlies have been outscored by 19 points in 124 minutes with Allen on the floor this series and 16 points in 116 minutes without him.
Whatever boost he provides defensively, his offensive shortcomings have been about as problematic. In the guard’s last game, the Warriors nominally defended Allen with center Andrew Bogut, who mostly ignored Allen and defended the paint. Allen’s lack of a dependable jumper outweighed his ability to pester Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
With more time to prepare for Golden State’s defensive adjustment, maybe Memphis can find better use for Allen offensively. Having him screen more often, with his “defender” far from position to help, would be a good start.
Allen helps give the Grizzlies a toughness and confidence that makes overcoming a 3-2 deficit possible, and it’s easy to see the team rallying around his return. Memphis is better with him.
But it will take some offensive creativity from Joerger and incredible defense on an All-Star backcourt from a hobbled Allen for the Grizzlies to win two straight.