What Twitter Is Saying Ahead of Grizzlies vs. Warriors Game 4

Choosing sides is part of what makes sports fun, and we've been afforded few better opportunities to do just that than with the Grizzlies vs. Warriors Western Conference Semifinals series. The two teams preach opposite ideologies, giving us all plenty of reason to get loud on social media before Monday night's Game 4.

Memphis' defense has staked the Grizzlies to a 2-1 series lead over Golden State. NBA MVP Stephen Curry and wingman Klay Thompson have struggled to find their shooting range in the last two games, causing the Warriors' fluid offense to become stuck in neutral.

Offense or defense is the sporting world's version of chocolate or vanilla. Deep down, everyone has a favorite.

Still, it's easy to appreciate both teams, a point driven home by Toronto Star columnist Bruce Arthur in a tweet to Grizzlies executive John Hollinger.

For Memphis, back-to-back wins in Games 2 and 3 have brought about the informal revival of cult favorite Tony Allen. Nicknamed “The Grindfather,” Allen has often been the face of Memphis’ defense-first persona.

Allen became an Internet darling this week after reminding everyone within earshot of his past “first team All-Defense” nods during last Tuesday’s Game 2.

Just how good has Allen’s defense on Thompson been in this series? A Grizzlies fan blog, 3 Shades of Blue, tried to put it into crude context:

It’s not just fans gushing over Allen, the media has gotten into the act, too. Here's a nod from BasketballInsiders.com’s Alex Kennedy:

SiriusXM NBA Radio’s Brian Geltzeiler chipped in as well:

But perhaps the best one-liner came from Grantland’s Kirk Goldsberry, who took a jab at “The Splash Brothers” moniker given to Golden State’s backcourt in describing Allen during a conversation with NBA TV’s J.E. Skeets:

The other subplot for Memphis over the last two games has been the return of point guard Mike Conley from a facial fracture. After missing Game 1 as part of a three-game absence, Conley has averaged 16.5 points and four assists per game in Memphis’ two wins.

The NBA’s official Twitter account shared this handy graphic to demonstrate Conley’s impact on the Grizzlies:

While the adulation pours in for Memphis’ unheralded stars, the pressure is mounting for Golden State. Entering the postseason as the No. 1 seed represents its best chance to make the Finals since 1975-76, the year after its only championship. Fast Break, the San Jose Mercury News' Warriors blog, asked a blunt question Monday:

Golden State’s identity this season has been forged from the three-point line. In the last two games against Memphis, the jumper has abandoned them. Utah Jazz radio voice David Locke provided in-depth numbers behind the shooting slump:

New York Knicks president Phil Jackson, whose overtures Warriors head coach Steve Kerr spurned during the offseason, took the opportunity to question the foundation on which Golden State is built.

None of this is news to the Warriors, and they aren't shying away from the challenge. Kerr, Andrew Bogut and David Lee told the team’s official website as much during Monday’s shootaround:

That much of the narrative hasn’t changed from the start of the series, and we shouldn't expect to see it change before the series ends. Golden State will have to make a significant adjustment, however, following news that backup center Marreese Speights will miss at least a week with a strained calf.

The Sporting News’ Jimmy Spencer thinks he knows how Kerr will look to involve Lee, Speights’ replacement:

ESPN.com’s Ethan Strauss doesn’t expect Golden State to opt for a smaller lineup in the wake of Speights’ absence by shifting Draymond Green to center:

What can we expect from the Warriors after dropping the last two games? According to the team’s official statistics department, a win Monday night shouldn’t surprise anyone:

Memphis, meanwhile, has been something of a mixed bag in these situations over the last five seasons. Chris Herrington of the Memphis Commercial Appeal has the details:

There are few, if any, mysteries heading into Monday’s Game 4. Both teams are stubborn and committed to their basketball personalities. At this stage, it’s too late to change.

Memphis will look to smother Golden State’s offense, while the Warriors shooters will try and shoot themselves out of their slump.

Styles make fights. Game 4 will be a good one. Whose side are you on?