Warriors Vs. Grizzlies Game 4: Kerr Wins This Round Of The Chess Match
(CBS SF) – In chess, an unexpected move is called a Zwischenzug. And Steve Kerr is the grandmaster.
The jumpers fell for the Warriors and they did not for the Grizzlies. That's pretty much sums up a critical Game Four in which Golden State evened the series at two games apiece.
But you've got to hand it to the Warriors rookie head coach. Steve Kerr made some gutsy adjustments that worked. For two games now Kerr had Klay Thompson on Mike Conley. For two games now, Conley's shooting has gone south. That matchup will continue in game five at Oracle.
So who covered Tony Allen? That would be one Andrew Bogut. NOBODY saw this one coming. Granted, Bogut never actually guarded Allen who was left alone to shoot balls that never found the net. Allen was 2-9 and scored four points while Bogut was able cover the Grizzlies' bigs. Chalk one up for Kerr.
But after you dissect all the maneuvering and chess match countermoves it really came down to what the Warriors do. They shoot the basketball. Curry hit on 11-22 for 33 points as Golden State shot 47.5%. It's just that simple.
The Grizzlies still owned the paint, outscoring the Warriors 44-34 with 17 offensive rebounds. That's not going to change. But the Warriors did a better job of forcing turnovers and creating more of a Warrior pace, turning 16 turnovers in 18 points.
So now we have an adjournment as the series shifts to Oakland for game five. A counter-attack is sure to come from Dave Joerger. It will be something like this. "Tony, I don't care if you are the only player on the floor, DON'T SHOOT!"
How will Kerr answer? I expect with a check in game five, mate in game six.
See you on TV.