Wolves vs. Grizz Game 2 GDT
Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2022 9:54 am
Man, what a feeling! Up 1-0 against the #2 seed and now in what many are calling a toss-up in terms of who wins the series.
I am interested in the chess match of this series since it could go the distance. Some questions as we head into Game 2:
1. Steve Adams - Do they play him more than 15 or 20 minutes? He was a total liability for them the other night, but he is also a huge part of their identity. They were the #1 offensive rebounding team and a big part of it is because of him. If he sits a bunch, they are getting away from one of their team strengths.
2. Wolves strategy defending Morant - I debate how hard we look to trap and double him to get the ball out of his hands vs. allowing him to be the primary scorer but beat him up in the process. The Grizzlies can play very well without him, so perhaps allowing him to be ball dominant and get his 30 or 35 points is OK, so long as we aren't giving up wide open dunks and can wear down Jah in the process (we want him to be beaten up with tired legs by Game 6 or 7).
3. Grizzlies strategy defending KAT - Adams can't match up with him anymore. May be a few years ago he had more success (I can't remember), but there is just no way he can handle KAT on the perimeter. He'll either drain 3s or drive past him. So what about putting Brooks or Clarke on KAT and then allowing Adams or JJJ to stay planted in the paint or double? The Jazz and Clippers have had a lot of success using their bigs as free safeties while guarding KAT with a smaller guy.
4. Can Ant keep it going? - Ant has had two electric performances against LA and now Memphis in Game 1. We know that his 3-ball can suddenly stop falling and then it makes it easier to take his drive away. Will DLO fill the void if Ant is off his game? Can Ant impact the game defensively if he's struggling with his shot? It will be interesting to see how our young phenom does now that he is getting a TON of national attention and focus.
I'm sure there are a lot of other story lines and sub-plots to follow, but those were the thing top of mind for me.
Go Wolves!
I am interested in the chess match of this series since it could go the distance. Some questions as we head into Game 2:
1. Steve Adams - Do they play him more than 15 or 20 minutes? He was a total liability for them the other night, but he is also a huge part of their identity. They were the #1 offensive rebounding team and a big part of it is because of him. If he sits a bunch, they are getting away from one of their team strengths.
2. Wolves strategy defending Morant - I debate how hard we look to trap and double him to get the ball out of his hands vs. allowing him to be the primary scorer but beat him up in the process. The Grizzlies can play very well without him, so perhaps allowing him to be ball dominant and get his 30 or 35 points is OK, so long as we aren't giving up wide open dunks and can wear down Jah in the process (we want him to be beaten up with tired legs by Game 6 or 7).
3. Grizzlies strategy defending KAT - Adams can't match up with him anymore. May be a few years ago he had more success (I can't remember), but there is just no way he can handle KAT on the perimeter. He'll either drain 3s or drive past him. So what about putting Brooks or Clarke on KAT and then allowing Adams or JJJ to stay planted in the paint or double? The Jazz and Clippers have had a lot of success using their bigs as free safeties while guarding KAT with a smaller guy.
4. Can Ant keep it going? - Ant has had two electric performances against LA and now Memphis in Game 1. We know that his 3-ball can suddenly stop falling and then it makes it easier to take his drive away. Will DLO fill the void if Ant is off his game? Can Ant impact the game defensively if he's struggling with his shot? It will be interesting to see how our young phenom does now that he is getting a TON of national attention and focus.
I'm sure there are a lot of other story lines and sub-plots to follow, but those were the thing top of mind for me.
Go Wolves!