Why Taylor Jenkins, Memphis Grizzlies should start Steven Adams in Game 4

SAN FRANCISCO — Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins didn't want to make too many adjustments after a Game 2 win. The result was a 142-112 loss in Game 3 to the Golden State Warriors. 

Jenkins stayed with what's been working on defense, and he stayed with Xavier Tillman Sr. as the starting center despite Steven Adams returning from health and safety protocols. Neither decision led to many positives on Saturday night at the Chase Center.

"They adjusted after Game 2," Jenkins said. "We stuck with the same gameplan. They made the adjustments, they made the plays."

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Game 4 on Monday (9 p.m., TNT) is the ultimate swing game in the Western Conference series. Going down 3-1 would put the Grizzlies in an enormous hole on the verge of elimination. Tying the series 2-2 would mean Memphis has homecourt advantage with the series shifting back to FedExForum on Wednesday.

That's why now is the time for Jenkins to go with Adams. 

Tillman provided a great spark in Game 2 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was a plus-28 in 20:45 and scored 13 points. His play led to the benching of Adams.

In the seven games (six starts) since then, Tillman hasn't surpassed seven points. Games 2 in the first round and the semifinals were the only two games (of eight) where Tillman finished with a positive plus-minus. Overall, he's minus-30 in 127 minutes.

"I thought X played well last game," Jenkins said after the Game 3 loss. "Steven's been trending in a good direction. I thought X (Tillman) was good last game, so I went off of that gut."

Expectations were heightened  with Adams' return. In the end, he was not part of the Game 3 rotation. Tillman started and played 22 minutes while Adams entered the game in fourth quarter garbage time and played the final six minutes. 

The late game intensity may not have been the same, but Adams notably had more rebounds and assists than Tillman in less than a third of the playing time. Tillman had five points, one rebound and one assist. Adams had three points, two rebounds and two assists.

But this is less about Tillman and more about Adams. Sure, the 6-foot-11 center is not as nimble-footed and would be prone to isolations against a shifty Warriors' backcourt. That feels like the most concerning area when putting Adams on the court. However, Adams' strengths are some of the primary weaknesses for the Grizzlies in this series. 

Memphis was outrebounded 38-29 in Game 3, 52-47 in Game 2 and 51-47 in Game 1. The Grizzlies were the No. 1 rebounding team in the NBA during the regular season. 

The same goes for offensive rebounding, where Adams led the NBA and set the Grizzlies' single-season franchise record. Memphis has a 35-34 advantage in offensive rebounding this series. Those numbers are why the Grizzlies have gone from the top team to ranking eighth among the 16 playoff squads. 

"Obviously we'll watch the film and see," Jenkins said. "I think Steven's ready. We'll make the adjustment if we need to going into Game 4."

Jenkins also wants the Grizzlies to be more physical and not too many things scream physicality like an Adams screen. 

The Grizzlies didn't make many adjustments from Game 2 to Game 3, but the Warriors did. Adjustments don't always work, and playing Adams may not, but it would be puzzling if the Grizzlies don't give their center who started 75 regular season games a chance.  

Golden State made its move. Now it's Jenkin turn before it's too late. 

Contact Damichael Cole at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com and on Twitter @damichaelc