2 min read • May 07, 2022
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In the third installment of this enticing Western Conference series, both teams will be without a key defensive stopper.
Grizzlies - 85.9 SIC Team Health Score
Former Oregon small forward Dillon Brooks is suspended for Game 3 after the hard foul that knocked Warriors guard Gary Payton II out for a majority of the playoffs with an elbow fracture.
Brooks had the primary task of guarding Steph Curry, a role he performed well in the first game.
Desmond Bane, the Grizzlies young shooting guard, is off the injury report after playing through lower back soreness in Game 2. He finished with 5 points on 2-7 shooting and was 1-4 from 3.
Center Steven Adams is out of health and safety protocols, but his playing time is up in the air against a team that often employs a “small ball lineup”
Warriors - 84.5 SIC Team Health Score
Golden State played a majority of Game 2 without Payton, the defensive specialist who often started games.
It will be interesting to see how the Warriors adjust their rotation with Payton out. There is not an exact replacement for his particular skill set.
Payton was the primary defender on Ja Morant in Game 1. After Payton was injured in the opening minutes of Game 2, Morant tied his postseason career-high with 47 points.
Jordan Poole and Damien Lee may see increased minutes as scoring threats, while Otto Porter Jr. and rookie Jonathan Kuminga could also see more of the floor when defense and rebounding are a focus.
Klay Thompson had a down performance after being listed on the Game 2 injury report with right knee soreness. He is off the injury report for this game.
Veteran Andre Iguodala remains out with a left cervical disk injury. Draymond Green said recently that he doesn't expect to get Iguodala back in the playoffs.
Injury-Based Plays
O225.5 - With a defensive stopper out for each team, this has over game written all over it.
Ja Morant O28.5 - He's coming of a 47-point performance and the Warriors' best individual guard defender is out.
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