Warriors-Grizzlies: What to watch for

The Warriors wrap up this brief two-game road trip with agame against the Grizzlies in Memphis on Saturday night. They are coming off ablowout loss to the OKC Thunder on Friday and theres not much solaceahead.The Warriors (11-16) return home for one gameagainst theClippers (19-9) on Mondayand then play their next six on the road, with fiveof them coming after the All-Star break next weekend.Here are some things to watch for when the Warriors play theGrizzlies Saturday night:Ellis right knee: Warriors shootingguard Monta Ellis tweaked his right knee late in the third quarter of Fridaysgame against the Thunder. He went to the locker room briefly, then returned tothe bench.
Had the game been closer, Ellis could have played in the fourthquarter, according to the Warriors. He appeared to be in good spirits when hereturned to the bench.Tough to see Ellis not giving it a go in Memphis, where hehas an offseason home, but the knee is also something to keep an eye on. And itwont help any Ellis will likely be defended a good portion of the time by TonyAllen, one of the leagues elite wing defenders.Currys game: Warriors point guardStephen Curry is in a four-game shooting slump. Since his monster 36-point gamein Denver (13-for-17 from the floor), Curry is shooting just 31.9 percent fromthe field (15-for-47). Curry went 4-for-13 in Fridays loss to the Thunder, andhe needed two 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, after the outcome had beendetermined, to get there.If the Warriors expect to have any success during this roadstretch, Curry is going to have to play better. Against the Grizzlies, helldefend Mike Conley, and thats a matchup you need him to win.Combat Memphis size: The good news forthe Warriors is that Zach Randolph wont play because of injury, but the badnews is that the Grizzlies are still very big. So big, in fact, they list MarcGasol as the power forward when he plays along Marreese Speights.Both of those guys have size and width, and it will be up toAndris Biedrins, David Lee and Ekpe Udoh to figure out a way to contend withthem. If the Grizzlies size allows them to get second and third opportunities,its going to be difficult for the Warriors to win the game.