Grizz vs Warriors- LJ's Keys to the Game

First of all, I'd like to apologize for my absence from the Grizzlife. I just spent this last week in Colorado skiing for Spring Break. I was unable to blog, but I watched the games on everybody's favorite NBA League Pass account. I'm back for good now, and living the Grizzlife all out.

Time is running out on Grizzlies' playoff hopes, but they have a chance to make up ground with a favorable schedule over the next five days. That stretch includes two games against the short-handed Warriors who have lost 12 straight on the road and one against the Kings. The Grizz must keep winning, and they desperately need some teams from ahead of them in the playoff race to fall back.

The Warriors are a team built for speed and perimeter play and have almost no interior presence at all. The Warriors lack a low post presence and defense. The Warriors haven't held an opponent under 100 pts in March and only 5 opponents have failed to cross the 100 pt plateau since the start of the year. Also, Marc Gasol has missed the past two games with a strained neck muscle. His status is uncertain as Memphis tries goes for its fourth win in five games at the Forum, following an eight-game slide there.

Tonight is a must win for the Grizz, and here's how we get it done:

1. No Stephen Curry- The Warriors are most likely without Curry tonight because of a sprained ankle. His absence would take away the Warriors' second scoring option and will leave a big hole in their line-up. The Grizzlies need to expose his absence and keep his replacement CJ Watson from having a big night of scoring.

2. OJ vs Montae Ellis- If there is a big time matchup in this game this is it. Mayo and Ellis were rumored to be involved in discussions around the trade deadline but nothing ever came of it. This would be a great opportunity for both players to show which side was right and which made a mistake. Ellis may play all 48 minutes tonight, so OJ and the bench need to wear him down. Ellis will probably be the leading scorer for the Warriors, but if the Grizz keep him under 25 pts, our chances of winning will skyrocket.

3. Race to 110 pts. I think whoever reaches the 110 pt plateau will win this came, plain and simple.

Let's Go Grizz!