Grizzlies' Allen: 'Definitely' playing in Game 6
MEMPHIS — Grizzlies defensive ace Tony Allen announced after the team’s morning shootaround that he’s “definitely” playing in Friday night’s Game 6 against Golden State despite persistent hamstring trouble.
Allen sat out Memphis’ Game 5 loss in Oakland in hopes of gaining an extra 48 hours of rest for his ailing left hamstring, which has plagued him since a late March home loss to these same Warriors. The Grizzlies face a 3-2 series deficit after losing by 20 points Wednesday night without Allen.
“Our season is on the line,” Allen said. “I’m ready to go out there and compete.
“I want to be in this battle with my team.”
Asked to estimate how close he is to full strength, Allen said he rates himself at “60 [percent] maybe.”
Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger said again Friday that Allen won’t fully heal until he gets significant rest after the season, but Joerger said he’s prepared to give his best perimeter defender an opportunity to prove he can be sufficiently effective in Game 6 without hurting the team offensively.
“As much as he can give,” Joerger said of his plans for using Allen.
“It’s a do-or-die game.”
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