San Francisco – With the seventh series of the Western Conference suspended in the scale, the Warriors and Grizzlies fought dramatically on Tuesday evening.
The Warriors came out victorious, 121-116Sending the Grizzlies to a Win-Or-Home battle against the winner of the Dallas Mavericks-Sacramento Kings match on Wednesday, while Golden State will face the Houston 2 rockets.
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Here are some key dishes from the game at the Chase Center:
The return of the Jimmy playoff series
The crowd of the Chase Center had its first taste for the Jimmy qualifiers. Since the possession of opening, Butler had been in attack mode, tirelessly chasing the oversized range of Memphis de Zach Edey, Santi Aldama and Jaren Jackson Jr. With each great man of the grizzlymen who fights with Butler in isolation, he mastered his way thanks to the defense of Memphis on every occasion.
At halftime, Butler had already accumulated 21 points on an effective shot of 7 out of 12 on the field, punctuated by a pair of three and many strong records which attracted faults, sending it eight times online while converting five. Add four rebounds, four assists and a shutter choice as a timely time, and it was clear that Butler did not facilitate energy for the Warriors, he defined their identity in the game. His assault set the tone for Golden State and provided a stabilizing presence which wanted the Warriors through a few races of the third and fourth quarter.
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Butler finished with 38 points (12-20 FG, 12-18 feet, 2-4 3 pt) with seven plates, six dimes and three interceptions in 40 minutes. Butler did not just dominate the statistics sheet; He dictated the pace and looked comfortable to play the Robin role to Golden State.
Stephen Curry is too clutch
MVP songs resounded through the rafters of Chase Center, a sound that Stephen Curry knows only too well. One night, warriors could not afford to trip, Curry still reminded everyone why he was the heart and soul of this franchise. Despite a throbbing thumb injury, the MVP twice delivered one of its signature performances, pouring 37 points (9 on 22 FG, 13-13 FT, 6 out of 13 ppt), 13 of which in the fourth quarter (60% of dots in the dubs in the stanza) to slam the door on Memphis.
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With Golden State hanging on a thin advance, Curry struck two 3 massifs, both in the last two minutes, sending the crowd of the hunting center in a frenzy.
Curry sealed the game with a few clutch throws with five seconds to send to send the grizzly ones. He and Jimmy Butler combined for more than 60 points for the second time in less than a week, carrying the dubs in the first round of the playoffs.
Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors obtained a place in playoffs on Tuesday evening. (Image photo Ezra Shaw / Getty)
(Ezra Shaw via Getty Images)
Kuminga sets up the pine, again
Another game, another DNP for Jonathan Kuminga. The fourth year professional found himself stuck on the bench for the third consecutive competition, while Steve Kerr opted for a rotation of 10 men who presented the Gary Payton II reserves, Buddy Hield, Quinten Post, Kevon Looney and Gui Santos. No Kuminga. Not even a look.
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It becomes more and more clear, although the potential of Kuminga is undeniable, its services are not part of the plans of the Warriors at the moment. And unless injuries to other actors, that doesn't seem to change anytime soon.
The Warriors players intensified, Moses Moody defending Ja MORANT for an eight -minute top, holding him at two points on 1 shot on the field. Post was tied with Draymond Green in addition to less than 12 years old, while joining Payton as only other warriors to knock on two figures by scoring Butler and Curry outside. Payton also struck two 3 swings of momentum as well as its appropriate agitation games. So yes, I see why JK is not burning.
But that said, Green said in his post-match press conference, Kuminga must remain mentally prepared and there is no doubt that he will play a role in the Houston series.
Are the grizzly ones in … trouble?
How do you receive a five-second call with the game in play? It is the amateur time for Memphis – a team whose main unit has gone through many end -of -game situations, in parameters in the playoffs, only to collapse in decreasing moments on Tuesday.
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These are the situations where coaching, communication and execution are essential, and after having dismissed the head coach Taylor Jenkins at the end of March, Santi Aldo failed to prevent the ball with five remaining seconds in the game and the declining grizzly greeks, which means that this decision is even worse.
Ja Morant disappears after an ankle injury in the third quarter
MORANT carried the grizzleas in the first half, but it was not so hardy after Roll your ankle in the third trimester. During the next 17 minutes, MORANT contributed seven points (3-5 FG, 1-1 3 PPT) with a rebound, two assists and two reversals. Perhaps the ankle injury made it be passive, a line that the grizzlies can badly afford at this stage of the season.
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The silver lining is Desmond Bane was more than ready to take over, especially in the second half, when he scored 19 of his 30 points. Grizzlies continue to use it more as a playmaker, leading the team in total passes (60) and helping to facilitate a certain attack through Jaren Jackson Jr. and Morant.
Zach Edey, defensively, it's food
If you look at the box score, you would say it was a productive evening for Zach Edey, which collected 14 points with 17 showcases. However, the Warriors enjoyed the recruit each time they obtained the switch or the former Purdue star was left in an ISO situation far from the basket.
According to NBA Advanced Stats, the Warriors made 18 shooting attempts when they are defended by Edey, the most against a Grizzlies player. Memphis needs Edey offensive rebound and rim protection, but each time he derives from the hoop, this is a problem. Let's see if the grizzly gaugs adapt with the back against the wall and at the edge of elimination.
