Warriors-Grizzlies result could be determined by a specific matchup originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
When the Memphis Grizzlies invade Chase Center on Friday night, the Warriors won’t have to worry about sensational point guard Ja Morant. He is out indefinitely with injuries related to a hard fall last week.
The Warriors do have to deal Jaren Jackson Jr. Since missing the first two games of the season, the 6-foot-11, 240-pound forward/center is averaging a team-high 22.5 points a game, shooting 54.7 percent from the field and 39.2 percent from deep.
The task of dealing with Jackson falls mostly on Draymond Greenwho knows his brother quite well from the Michigan State ring family.
In 15 NBA games against Jackson, Green limited him to 17.7 points and 5.1 rebounds, according to statmuse.com statistics. But the work becomes more difficult as Jackson, 25, has matured into a star. His scoring is on the rise as he is averaging 26 points per game over the last four meetings.
Green, just 6-foot-6, 230 pounds, defends Jackson in the same way he attacks most opponents with a significant size advantage, by using leverage, anticipation and his usual cheerfulness.
That also works in Green’s favor in another way: Jackson is historically prone to fouling. He led the NBA in fouls per game last season, averaging 3.6. He is 14th this season, at 3.3 per game.
There is a possibility that the Grizzlies, whose players have already missed 70 games due to injury or illness, can bolster their roster on Friday night.
Shooting guard Desmond Bane, who has missed the last seven games with a right oblique strain, was upgraded to questionable Friday morning. Forward Vince Williams Jr., who has yet to play this season while recovering from a shin strain reaction, was also upgraded to questionable and could make his season debut. Forward Brandon Clarke, who sat out against the Lakers on Wednesday night with toe soreness, is also listed as questionable.
If any or all of those reinforcements show up, Jackson will have a lighter load.
Although Jackson is by far the most productive big man on the Memphis roster, Green and his teammates — namely Trayce Jackson-Davis and Kevon Looney — also have to contend with the likes of 6-foot-11 Santi Aldama, 7-foot-1 Jay. Huff and 7-foot-4 freshman Zach Edey.
The result? Contain Jackson and force others to do a heavier load than usual.
