Warriors reveal starting lineup for ‘physical’ Game 2 against Grizzlies
Golden State Warriors' lineup vs. Memphis Grizzlies: Gary Payton II back
in the starting lineup
>MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – MAY 1: Golden State Warriors’ Gary Payton II (0)
and Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson (11) fight for a loose ball
against Memphis Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks (24) in the fourth quarter of
Game 1 of the team’s NBA basketball second-round playoff series at the
FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn., on Sunday, May 1, 2022. (Nhat V.
Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
>MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – MAY 1: Golden State Warriors’ Gary Payton II (0)
and Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson (11) fight for a loose ball
against Memphis Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks (24) in the fourth quarter of
Game 1 of the team’s NBA basketball second-round playoff series at the
FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn., on Sunday, May 1, 2022. (Nhat V.
Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
By SHAYNA RUBIN | srubin@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group
PUBLISHED: May 3, 2022 at 6:05 p.m. | UPDATED: May 3, 2022 at 6:07 p.m.
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2022/05/03/warriors-reveal-starting-lineup-for-physical-game-2-against-grizzlies/

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — After taking a one-game lead in Memphis, the Warriors
expect plenty of physicality and, with Draymond Green back on the court,
some haranguing from the crowd in Game 2 against the Grizzlies.

“A physical night at the office,” Klay Thompson said of his expectations
for the game following shootaround on Tuesday.

The Warriors used the same lineup they started in Game 1, going defense
first with Gary Payton II taking on Ja Morant in their starting lineup
for Tuesday night’s throwdown at FedEx Forum.

The lineup:

Steph Curry

Klay Thompson

Gary Payton II

Andrew Wiggins

Draymond Green

An undersized Golden State team that played half of Game 1 without their
most physical player in Draymond Green — ejected after a pull-down of
forward Brandon Clarke earned him a Flagrant 2 foul — managed to
narrowly out-rebound the Grizzlies, one of the better rebounding teams
in the NBA.

“We’ve been in this situation millions of times, and this will be the
most physical game we play all year,” coach Steve Kerr said before
Tuesday’s game. “Under the circumstances, who we’re playing, on the
road. They’re coming after us. Our older guys know that. Younger guys
may not quite understand it until they feel it. We have to prepare for
it right away and we have to handle that.”

The Warriors’ know any momentary lapse in aggression can put them at a
disadvantage. Their veterans can draw back in previous playoff series —
including a physical bout with the Grizzlies in 2015 — to prepare for
the challenge. They took notice of Memphis’ post-game remarks, noting
they’d need to win the rebound battle and get more physical.

“We have to expect that they’re coming after us tonight,” Kerr said.

Adding to the on-court tension will be the fan reaction to Green. His
teammates know how Green responds to the boos and heckles makes him a
better player.

“I’ve been through the biggest battles with Dray and he embraces those
moments,” Thompson said. “And we need that. He really makes us go, and
without him we aren’t the Warriors. He’s the best in games like this.”

Added Kerr: “He relishes it. He loves it. He loves playing the villain.
I don’t think it’s a bad thing at all. Sometimes it brings the best out
of him, in fact it often does. I’m excited about all the fans booing
him. It’s the ultimate sign of respect.”

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Shayna Rubin | Oakland Athletics reporter