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Grizzlies’ Tony Allen ‘definitely going’ in Game 6 despite injury

By Connor Muldowney

Apr 29, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen celebrates fromt the bench in the second half 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 Tony Allen celebrates fromt the bench in the second half 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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Grizzlies’ wing man Tony Allen is ‘definitely going’ in Game 6 tonight as his team tries to stay away from elimination.

Playing the best team in the NBA is no easy task, but doing so without your best perimeter defender has to be even more difficult. Tony Allen had been sidelined with a sore hamstring for Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals as well as the better portion of Game 4 for the Memphis Grizzlies.

However, now that an elimination is possible, the veteran wing man is making an appearance for Game 6 as his Grizzlies try to stay alive against the Golden State Warriors at home.

The 33-year-old Allen has been one of the better defenders in the playoffs thus far, but has been limited in the last few games because of a soreness experienced in his hamstring, causing him to be less effective. Never known for his offense, Allen has been sought out primarily as a defender, and he has done a great job over his long career of being a defense-first guy.

Averaging just 9.0 points and 4.3 rebounds during the first four games of the series, Allen’s offense wasn’t the key to either of the Grizzlies wins, but his defense played a major role. That’s why, in Game 5, the defense factor seemed to be missing in Memphis as the Warriors stomped the Grizz, 98-78, and in Game 4, 101-84.

Without him in the lineup, the Grizzlies are a different, much softer team, relying on guys like Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph to do most of the work on that side of the ball.

According to ESPN‘s Marc Stein, Allen is a sure-thing for Game 6 tonight.

Those are some promising words from a guy who has been hampered with a nagging injury that could potentially hold him back from being effective. He also had this to say:

You have to tip your hat to a guy willing to put his health on the line to save his team from elimination and help them see at least another day. While that’s not guaranteed, he would likely blame himself if the Grizzlies lost Game 6 and went home early, making it three straight losses after being up 2-to-1 in the series.

Klay Thompson won’t have it easy tonight as the lockdown defender will be on him tight.

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