Dennis Schroder and the Memphis Grizzlies meet again.
Less than a week after a contentious game against Schroder when he was a member of the Brooklyn Nets, the Grizzlies will see the 12-year NBA veteran again Thursday night when they host the Golden State Warriors.
Schroder was acquired by the Warriors on Sunday after playing for the Nets in Brooklyn on Friday, when the Nets and Grizzlies got into two heated exchanges during Memphis’ 135-119 victory.
Schroder and Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins exchanged words during one of the exchanges and both were slapped with technical fouls.
Schroder will make his Golden State debut Thursday. He said he’s enjoyed his brief time with the Warriors, who welcomed him at practice as if he’d been with the team since preseason.
“I’m happy to be part of this organization,” Schroder said. “The chemistry I see is on a high level. I just see it as a winning organization.”
Schroder started all 23 games for the Nets this season and is averaging 18.4 points and 6.6 assists. He ranks among the top 15 players in assists.
The Warriors are likely looking forward to having him on their bench. Schroder was a consistent thorn in Golden State’s side. The teams on which Schroder played won 10 of their last 11 games against Golden State.
Schroder is looking forward to the experience, as well, as he’ll join forces with coach Steve Kerr and Warriors’ veterans Steph Curry and Draymond Green.
“Just to be able to be around them, especially Steph,” Schroder said. “(Curry) is one of the best point guards and best shooters ever and to see how he works …
“Every time you’d see (Golden State on the schedule) you’d get excited. And to see Steph, he plays like it’s a video game. He is having fun, laughing and making the right reads every time.”
Memphis will present a challenge for the Warriors, having won 10 of their last 12 games — although Golden State has won three straight in the series.
The Grizzlies, who lost 116-110 Sunday to the Los Angeles Lakers in their most recent game, should be bolstered by the return of big man Zach Edey. Edey, the 7-foot-4 rookie out of Purdue, had 13 points and 10 rebounds in 24 minutes against the Lakers in his first game since injuring his ankle Nov. 17 against Denver.
“He did a great job playing with force,” Jenkins said. “He had eight offensive rebounds and finished around the rim.”
The Grizzlies also welcomed back another key reserve. Guard Luke Kennard returned after missing several games with an illness. He finished with 12 points in 18 minutes against the Lakers.
“I thought (Kennard) gave us a spark,” Jenkins said. “It wasn’t even him knocking down some shots. It was the way he was moving. He was cutting and driving and touching the paint (and) facilitating. He was kind of the ignitor of our offense. I thought he was great.”
The game will feature the NBA’s top bench-scoring teams. Memphis leads with a 48.2 points-per-game average from its reserves, while Golden State’s non-starters average 46.6 points.
–Field Level Media
