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Mike Conley to play against Warriors in Game 2

By Seth Colgan

Apr 29, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley talks to team personel on the bench during the remaining minutes against the Portland Trailblazers in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Portland 99-93. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley talks to team personel on the bench during the remaining minutes against the Portland Trailblazers in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Portland 99-93. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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Despite lingering injury problems, Conley will play against the Golden State Warriors in Game 2

Mike Conley will be playing tonight, according to Marc Spears of Yahoo Sports. Spears reports that Conley’s foot issue is still bothering him, but that will not be the only lingering injury issue he’s dealing with. Conley was elbowed hard in the face by C.J. McCollum during Game 3 against the Portland Trail Blazers and required facial surgery. This will be his first game back since the injury and he will have to wear a plastic face mask.

Conley has a track record of being a mentally and physically tough player and has played through injuries before. He is quickly racking up damage late in the season and it is a question whether or not he will be able to remain healthy throughout this series with the Warriors. If he can stay healthy, it will be a blessing for the Grizzlies, who can definitely use any extra production they can get.

However, Conley is the biggest asset on defense. He is known around the league as a lockdown defender and the Grizzlies desperately need help against Steph Curry, who led the Warriors in scoring in Game 1 with 22 points. But even Conley may not be able to contain Curry, who is playing like he’s unguardable.

Conley’s main objective will be to distribute the ball and try to spread the Memphis offense. Their scoring in Game 1 was almost entirely in the paint and they were an abysmal 3-12 from behind the three-point line. If Conley can create space by knocking down some shots from distance, the Memphis bigs will have more space to work in the paint. With big men as talented as Randolph and Gasol, having room in the paint is never a bad thing.

In this series, having Conley is a boost the Grizzlies can’t afford to go without. In fact, Conley playing well is most likely their only way to even take a game from the Warriors in this series. The Warriors were fantastic on defense in Game 1 and held Memphis to just 86 total points. They also made Marc Gasol earn 11 of his 21 points at the free throw line. Not to mention that the Warriors also completely shut down the guard play of the Grizzlies. Conley will have to really bring his best game to challenge the Golden State guards, but with a healing face and an aggravated foot, Conley’s odds don’t look great.

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