Analyzing each Golden State Warriors potential play-in opponent

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers is guarded by Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half at Staples Center on January 18, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers is guarded by Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half at Staples Center on January 18, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) /

Potential play-in opponent: Memphis Grizzlies

It seems unlikely the Dubs and Grizzlies find themselves playing each other again after the season-ending matchup between the two on May 16th.

They seem destined to battle it out for the 8th spot, barring a huge rise by the Spurs through their unforgiving schedule or a massive drop by the Lakers.

If the Dubs were to lose the 7-8 and Memphis wins the 9-10 it would be a heck of a fight, but that’s getting ahead of ourselves.

From a matchup standpoint, the Grizzlies have an energy and hunger the Dubs would need to equal in order to win. Ja Morant is playing some excellent basketball, Valanciunas is the kind of guy who eats against the Warriors soft interior and they have quality role players to boot.

They’ve been a tad more inconsistent than the Dubs but also find themselves building some legit winning streaks at times, a claim the Warriors cannot make. If they find themselves matched up in the first round, it likely means both teams are either very cold or very hot.

If the seeding and scheduling gods are kind, the Warriors won’t find themselves facing the upstart Grizz after May 16th.