NBA Playoffs: 8 most important players in the semi-finals

NBA Playoffs: 8 most important players in the conference semis

May 3, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of the NBA playoffs logo on the court before game seven of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs between the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

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Feb 27, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) and center Andrew Bogut (12) celebrate against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. Golden State defeated Toronto 113-89. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Golden State Warriors: Draymond Green/Andrew Bogut

Both the Warriors and the Grizzlies have two of the best defenses in the game. For the Grizzlies, their suffocating frontcourt leads the way, allowing them to control possessions and shift the defenses to the outside. The Warriors cause opposing offenses to be inefficient, and they force turnovers and cash in repeatedly with fast break points.

Where the Warriors have the obvious advantage is on the perimeter and with pacing. Both MVP Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are a large part of this for the Warriors, and it showed in Game One when they were able to totally outpace the Grizzlies and exhaust their bigs as the game continued.

It will be on the Grizzlies big men to maintain the torrid pacing that the Warriors will look to unleash on the Grizzlies. Green is a very mobile power forward, and will likely not hinder the Warriors in transition. But Bogut is the real concern here. The Warriors definitely have the depth to give Bogut a reprieve on the court, but Bogut is also their best rim protector and toughest enforcer down low. The Warriors will push the tempo, but with Bogut on the floor, they are only as fast as he lets them be.

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