NBA Game of the Week: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors

This week in the NBA within the Western Conference, two teams are set to collide for the first time this season in the group stage of the NBA Cup.

The Golden State Warriors once again are at home in the Bay Area taking on the Memphis Grizzlies.

Golden State won their first game in Group C when they defeated the Dallas Mavericks where Klay Thompson was their opposition for the first time.

Stephen Curry would score a total of 37 points with 12 of them being the last points scored by Golden State in the 4th Quarter to lead them to a close victory over Dallas 120-117.

Their record has now gone to 9-2 as they currently tail right behind the Oklahoma City Thunder in leading the Western Conference. It is a tight race with 11 of the 15 teams having a winning percentage of .500 or above.

The Warriors have looked like an offensive unit this season despite losing Thompson in the offseason. Curry has been on the top of his game and scored over 35 points in their last two games.

Not only could they continue to add to their dynasty that began in 2015 and win their eighth NBA Championship overall, but they could become the second team ever to win the NBA Cup.

Travel should be no issue for the Grizzlies as they go from one end of California to the other coming off of a game that came down to the wire between themselves and the Los Angeles Lakers.

This will be Memphis’ first match in the NBA Cup this year, so knocking off the Warriors who are 1-0 in the group would be huge for them in the standings.

The team has been dealing with injuries from their starters as of late such as Ja Morant and Desmond Bane. Taylor Jenkins–the head coach of Memphis–has described their status as, “week-to-week.”

This has not slowed down Memphis at all as they have still been able to gain wins and even in defeat have lost by a small margin.

In what looks to be a hard-hitting affair between a team with a history of multiple championships and the other scourging for their first, it will be intriguing to see what the outcome will look like.

The Warriors not only have an opportunity to advance further within the group stage but to retake the top spot in the regular standings.

The Grizzlies will have a chance to rebound and make a statement with a significant victory by taking it to one of the top teams this season.

Will Curry end up hitting his signature pose to cement the victory for Golden State and say, “Night Night” to Memphis and continue their momentum?

Can the Grizzlies shut down the chef before he has a chance to start cooking leading to a home-court defeat?

To find out who comes out on top between these two competitive teams, you can tune into this anticipated clash of the week on ESPN.

Hudson Hvizdak is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email hph5358@psu.edu.