The Warriors survived a furious finish to Game 1 by the skin of their teeth. Will the Grizzlies recover to bring the series back to 1-1? Catch this game live on May 4, at 9:30 AM, Manila time.

Away: Golden State Warriors (1-0, 1-0 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

• PG: Steph Curry
• SG: Gary Payton II 
• SF: Klay Thompson (probable)
• PF: Andrew Wiggins
• C: Draymond Green

Klay Thompson has been listed as probable for Game 2, which is a dampener for the Warriors. He was, after all, the hero at the end of Game 1, where he scored the final basket of the game with less than 40 seconds left and then somehow bricked two free throws before making a defensive stop to prevent Ja Morant from hitting a last-minute layup.

Even without Thompson, the Warriors will be emboldened by how they won Game 1 while Thompson and Steph Curry went 14 of 39 overall from the field. If Klay sits, I think Steph takes more shots, and I don’t think he’s going to be as bad this time around. They’ll also be relying on Jordan Poole, who led the Warriors with 31 points off the bench on 12 of 20 shooting. The kid’s a flamethrower and they’re going to need every single point from him again.

The Dubs didn’t play perfectly in Game 1, which was evidence by how they fell behind by 13 early and then blew a 10-point fourth quarter lead before Klay rescued them with a three-pointer. They’ll be taking the Grizzlies far more seriously this time around, so I expect them to play a bit more carefully.

Home: Memphis Grizzlies (0-1, 0-1 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

• PG: Ja Morant
• SG: Kyle Anderson / DeAnthony Melton
• SF: Dillon Brooks
• PF: Jaren Jackson Jr.
• C: Xavier Tillman
  

The Grizzlies have a tough game ahead of them with Desmond Bane being listed as questionable for Game 2 with a sore lower back. While Bane had a quiet night with nine points in 32 minutes in Game 1, he’s a key contributor on both offense and defense and provides invaluable floor spacing.

It’s tough to see who’ll take his starting spot, but Kyle Anderson or DeAnthony Melton might have to get the nod.

Still, Ja Morant is on the roster, and the Grizzlies always have a chance to win when he’s on the floor. He came oh-so-close to getting the game-winner the other day, and you’ll bet that he’ll work hard to avoid even being in such a situation this time around. Jaren Jackson Jr. will also need to continue playing well, as his double-double of 33 points and 10 rebounds was a key reason that the Grizzlies managed to get back to the game after finding themselves down 10 in the fourth quarter of Game 1.

Still, with Zaire Williams also questionable for Game 2, and Steven Adams still in Covid-19 protocols, the Grizzlies will have to lean even more heavily on their remaining roster as their famous depth will be challenged by the Warriors.

PREDICTION:

Spread: I think the Warriors cover the -2 spread, but it’s going to come down to the wire again.

Over/Under: Even without Bane, I think both offences hit the over 227.