Programming note: Warriors-Grizzlies starts at 4:30 p.m. with Warriors Pregame Live on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, and streaming live right here.
The tests keep coming, and the Warriors keep passing them. The most daunting yet comes Tuesday, and their roster would seem to be overmatched.
When the Warriors (21-2) and their 16-game win streak collide with the rugged and robust Grizzlies (19-4) at FedEx Forum in Memphis, something has to give.
This is the first time in NBA history that two teams with at least 19 wins are meeting within the first 24 games of their schedules.
Consider this: The Grizzlies are billing this game as Splash vs. Smash.
[RELATED: Bogut to miss fourth straight game Tuesday vs. Grizzlies]
OPENING LINE
Memphis by 2.5.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Festus Ezeli vs. Marc Gasol -- After 23 games, Ezeli has scored 59 points. Gasol scored 67 in his last three games and has been more consistently fabulous than any center in the league. Ezeli's goal, reduced to its essence, is to keep Gasol from dominating.
Zach Randolph vs. Draymond Green -- A fanatical defender, Green is four inches shorter and 30 pounds lighter than Z-Bo, who lives on the low block and often takes what he wants. No big man in the league gives the Warriors more trouble than Z-Bo.
Stephen Curry vs. Mike Conley -- While Curry deservedly soaks up plenty of acclaim, Conley is a terrific player who gets better every year. How improved is his once-lacking 3-point shot? He's shooting 44.9 percent beyond the arc, to Curry's 40.6.
[POOLE: Curry making strong arguments as top MVP candidate]
KEYS TO VICTORY
1) Scrap to the finish -- The Warriors are undermanned, undersized but never unmotivated. They'll need to muster every ounce of grit against this team.
2) Pace the race -- The Warriors must make every effort to push the pace as fast as possible, taking the Grizzlies out of their deliberate comfort zone.
3) Let the bigs launch -- That Green and Marreese Speights are undersized big men capable of scoring from mid-range and beyond could lure Memphis' mastodons out of the paint.
QUOTABLE
"Marc is the best center in the league," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said of Gasol. "He's been phenomenal the last couple years and he's elevated his game this year."
INJURY REPORT
Warriors: F Harrison Barnes (nasal fracture) is listed as questionable but is expected to play with the aid of a mask. C Andrew Bogut (right knee tendinitis) and F David Lee (strained left hamstring) are listed as out.
Grizzlies: No injuries listed.
SERIES HISTORY
With two victories last season, gaining a series split, the Warriors snapped an 11-game losing streak to the Grizzlies. Memphis has won nine of the last 10 in FedEx Forum.
