The Golden State Warriors hit first in their series against the Memphis Grizzlies winning Game 1 on the road.
Draymond Green, who was ejected just before half-time appeared on TNT’s Inside the NBA Monday night to discuss the Flagrant 2 foul and the outlook of the series. The Warriors big man emphasized that the seasoned Dubs outfit is more than confident, given the gap in experience between the two squads.
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“The one advantage we feel like we have is our experience, we’ve been through it,” Green said. “What those guys are trying to do we’ve done that, it actually started here in Memphis for us, so it’s like déjà vu, so we’re not afraid of any moment, we know they’re gonna go on 8-0 runs, we also know that we’re going to go on 8-0 runs.”
The Grizzlies put in work in their first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, having to claw their way back from multiple double-digit deficits, including a 10-point fourth quarter deficit in the series-sealing Game 6 win.
“I did think in that Minnesota series, the swings were just crazy, you get up 26 points and then they go on a 26-0 run. In order to be a championship team, you cant do that,” Green added. “So in watching that series all along, I’m like, well ok they’re going to go on their runs and that’s fine, everyone does, but we’re not giving up a 26-0 run, that’s ridiculous.
“I think we have the advantage there, when you’re talking experience and just knowing what to expect, we feel very comfortable in this environment.”
The Grizzlies have been one of the feel good stories of the season, amassing 56 wins and the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. And despite their youthful roster, the Grizzlies have looked like a championship contender all season.
Warriors star Stephen Curry has seen it all before, drawing comparisons with this Grizzlies team and the Warriors squads leading up to their title runs.
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“In terms of having the young core, and trying to make that next step, winning a playoff series … we were right in that window,” Curry said. “We were having some success, but not quite getting the job done.”
“All throughout those three years, we learned a lot about ourselves and I’m sure that’s what they’re going through. We don’t want them to learn too much, though.”