Tag: Memphis Grizzlies

Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole (3) has his right hand on the knee of guard Ja Morant Memphis Grizzlies (center) and forward Andrew Wiggins (22) tries reaching in for the ball at the Chase Center on Sat May 7, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 The Memphis Grizzlies Ja Morant tweeted that the Jordan Poole and the Golden State Warriors broke the code when the Warriors Poole grabbed Morant’s knee while scrambling for a ball. Afterwards Morant had to leave the game.

#2 Barbara, the reference “broke the code” was a phrase used by Warriors coach Steve Kerr after the Grizzlies Dillion Brooks was called for a hard foul on the Warriors Gary Payton II six days ago.

#3 Poole said that they were double teaming Morant and hit the ball forcing the loose ball and the mad scramble for the ball was on and Poole said he didn’t intentionally mean to injure Morant and that he respected the game too much.

#4 Brooks got a suspension for the hit on Payton which resulted in a broken elbow, clean or not the grab on Morant’s knee has set the tone as the Grizzlies are claiming they didn’t intend to hurt Payton and the Warriors intentionally went to hurt Morant.

#5 The Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins said that Morant was going after a dribble and that Poole had grabbed his knee and turned it. Jenkins said he’s curious to see what happens after that.

Join Barbara for the Warriors podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole, top, reaches for the ball over Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane during the first half of Game 3 at the Chase Center on Sat May 7, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Dismantle Memphis 142-112

By Barbara Mason

Saturday night the Golden State Warriors hosted the Memphis Grizzlies in Game Three of the NBA Western Conference semifinals. This series is dead even 1-1 and we have seen some wild and crazy basketball. We’ve seen ejections on both sides and we’ve seen some heart wrenching moments as well..

Taking Game One on the road was a key victory for the Warriors. In Game Two the Warriors had some great opportunities to win this game in the fourth quarter but fell short. The 18 turnovers played a huge part in the loss.

Game 3 recap: In Game Two the Warriors suffered the loss of Gary Payton II who fractured his elbow due to an unethical, frankly dirty block from Dillon Brooks who has been suspended from Saturday’s game. The Warriors rebounded from their game 2 loss with a huge 142-112 win in game 3 to go up 2-1 in the series.

The first quarter was a horrible start for Golden State with seven turnovers, the Grizzlies taking full advantage of them. (Golden Gate would have 14 turnovers in the first half) The Warriors were lucky to only be trailing 28-26 after one quarter. At one time in the opening quarter the Warriors trailed by 13 points.

The Warriors turned this game around in the second quarter. They took the lead by as much as 12 points in the second. At the half the Warriors were shooting at 70% with a 64-57 lead. With 0.1 on the clock Ja Morant made a 48-foot three pointer finishing the first half with 17 points show-casing his amazing playoff run for Memphis.

Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry and Otto Porter Jr. all shot in double digits. The Warriors had really amped it up in the second quarter. They would need more of the same in the second half to win this game.

The Warriors came unglued in the third quarter taking a 101-80 lead. The Warriors only had one turnover in the quarter and their defensive effort was on point. Buckets were falling and this had to be their best quarter in the playoffs so far.

The Warriors would match that amazing third quarter in the fourth quarter. The Warriors won this game by a landslide 142-112 to take the series lead 2-1. Curry would finish with 30 points followed by Jordan Poole with 27 points.

Everything came together in this game. They had better shot selection, great ball control and solid defense. The slow start that Thompson had in the first two games turned around completely. He finished with 21 points.

Some bad news for Memphis came when Ja Morant left late in the fourth quarter with a knee injury. From all appearances it would seem that he may not be at 100% on Monday provided he is even able to play. A crushing blow for the team and Morant. We should have a better picture tomorrow after he has been evaluated.

The Warriors will play Game Four at Chase Monday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) fouls Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II (0) during the first half of Game 2 in the NBA Playoffs second round at FedEx Forum in Memphis on Tue May 3, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with David:

#1 Dave, from the way you saw it did the Memphis Grizzlies top defender Dillion Brooks completely mug Golden State Warriors Gary Payton II which resulted in Payton getting a fractured elbow. Brooks was called for a flagrant 2 foul and ejected.

#2 Dave, was this flagrant 2 foul payback for the Warriors Draymond Green’s pulling Grizzlies Brandon Clarke’s jersey and slapping him in the face in game 1?

#3 Well there is no doubt about this series turning into a physical contest as Warrior head coach Steve Kerr said Brooks broke the code and that’s how he sees it. Game three is slated for Saturday night at 5:30 pm at Chase Center in San Francisco. Do you see the rest of this round turning into a war?

Join David throughout the Warriors playoffs for the Warriors podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) shoots against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) in game 2 of the NBA Playoffs at FedEX Forum in Memphis on Tue May 3, 2022 (AP News photo)

Golden State Loses A Wild One To Memphis 106-101

By Barbara Mason

Sunday afternoon the Warriors won a huge game against the Memphis Grizzlies on the road 117-116. Any win on the road in the playoffs is of major importance and tonight the Warriors tried to tack on another win in Memphis but just couldn’t hold on is a 106-101 loss on Tuesday night.

The Warriors went with the same lineup as Game One. Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Gary Payton II took the court to start off this game,

The Grizzlies got off to a hot start leading 8-0 after three minutes. This game was a wild one from the get go. Dillon Brooks got tossed from the game with a flagrant 2 foul on Gary Payton II and minutes later Draymond Green headed to the locker room, a bloodied towel pressed to his face after being hit.

After the foul on Gary Payton II he also went to the locker room for x-rays on his left elbow. The Warriors were dropping like flies halfway through the first quarter in an incredibly physical game. With 3:28 left in the opening quarter Stephen Curry got roughed up a bit forcing him to the sidelines to wrap up a bloodied hand.

With 2:56 left in the first twelve minutes the Grizzlies held a 22-19 lead. Golden State was slow out of the gate to start the game and already had six turnovers in some sloppy play. Memphis led after one 33-25.

When Head Coach Steve Kerr was asked if this first quarter was as physical as he expected he was quick to respond. “That wasn’t physical,” he said, ” that was dirty.”

It was encouraging when Green was able to play the second quarter. He did have a gash on his face that required stitches. It was also announced that Payton was out for the remainder of the game.

At the half the Grizzlies held onto the lead 56-51. The Warriors were missing too many layups, too many shots from downtown going 4 of 19 and with far too many turnovers the Warriors had a lot to clean up in the second half.

The Warriors battled to a tie after three quarters 77 apiece and it was on. The Warriors took the lead in the fourth quarter and there would be many lead changes before this was all said and done. Critical turnovers and missed open shots and layups lost this game for the Warriors 106-101. They had some great rebounding but it was the missed shots that killed them. The Grizzlies would take Game Two 106-101.

It was a very tough night for Curry and Thompson from downtown. In fact this was the worst playoff performance of Thompson’s career. Neither Curry or Thompson had a great game. Thompson continues to struggle only putting up 12 points. Curry finished with 27 points. The Grizzlies Ja Morant had an incredible 47 point night. The Warriors will now have three days off to regroup, rest and heal.

We will hopefully know more about the status of Payton II tomorrow. The first report in was a fractured elbow. It is just a shame that Payton suffered this injury from Brooks a known dirty player. Right now it would appear that his season is finished but an MRI will give us a lot more information.

The Warriors will need better shot selection and tone down those turnovers in Game Three. Golden State will get their chance to clean things up on Saturday May 7th. Tipoff at Chase Center is scheduled for 5:30 PM.

Once again the Golden State Warriors Draymond Green (23) expresses his discontent with the officiating after getting his second technical and ejected in game 1 against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum in Memphis on Sun May 1, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Golden State Warriors podcast:

#1 Barbara, Draymond Green has a history that goes all the way back to when he got into it with former Warrior Kevin Durant on the Warrior bench and his numerous times of being thrown out of games is there a point when the Warriors have to realize his behavior is a hinderance or they can look past all that and he’s been a great help?

#2 Talk about the three pointer that Klay Thompson hit with 36 seconds left to get the Warriors the lead in a tight ball game.

#3 Warrior guard Stephen Curry said that it’s in the Warriors DNA to win championships and saying the team never let’s go of the rope and it was a big win for the Warriors.

#4 Jordan Poole poured it on at the right time with a career high 31 points hitting five three pointers in the contest. As it turned out everyone of them helped.

#5 Barbara after observing this game how close to you see this see this series going as both teams meet again Tue May 3rd in Memphis for a 6:30 pm PDT tip off.

Join Barbara for the Warriors podcasts each Monday during the NBA Playoffs at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots against Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) and guard De’Anthony Melton (0) at the Fed Ex Forum in Memphis on Sun May 1, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Win Thriller In Memphis 117-116

By Barbara Mason

Ever since the Golden State Warriors finished off their series with the Denver Nuggets winning 4-1 the Warriors had all been wondering who their opponent in the semifinals would be. Friday night they got their answer when the Memphis Grizzlies finished off the Minnesota Timberwolves 114-106 winning the series 4-2.

This semifinal series started on the road for the Warriors at Fed Ex Forum winning the first game of the series in a narrow 117-116 victory to take a 1-0 lead. Golden State played in their seventh Western Conference semifinal in ten seasons.

The Warriors were healthy and ready for this game against a young, deep talented Memphis team. There is a history here. The Warriors rallied from a 2-1 deficit in the second round against Memphis back in 2015.

Ja Morant has put a real spark into the Grizzlies leading them into the semis for the first time in seven years. Their backcourt is one of the best in basketball making them an incredibly confident team. Dillon Brooks, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane are very strong offensive players for Memphis. They kept the Golden State defense on their toes throughout the contest.

The Warriors were coming off of a three day pause and were well aware of the challenge that lied ahead of them. This was kind of a role reversal with the Warriors coming in as a group of experienced veterans and the Grizzlies the youngsters.

In 2015 it was the opposite way around with Golden State being the younger team. Will the vast playoff experience help the Warriors in this series? We soon found out in this highly anticipated series.

Game 1 recap: The wait was finally over and the first quarter got underway. Memphis came out strong and led after 12 minutes 32-24. The Grizzlies extended their lead at the half 61-55.

The Warriors suffered a heavy blow when with 1:18 left in the second quarter Draymond Green was ejected from the game after committing a flagrant foul which was suspect at best. After two quarters of basketball the Warriors would have to dig deep especially with the loss of Green.

The Warriors won the third quarter 36-29 and took the lead after three 91-90 in a tight contest. The team was visibly upset after the ejection but pulled it together playing some great offense. One quarter remained in this game that Golden State wanted badly to win.

Jordan Poole was shooting lights out and was leading the team in shooting. He was single handedly trying to will his team to the win.

With 3:20 left in this game it was a dead heat tied at 108. At two minutes it was a tie 112-112 in a crazy Game One. With 1:17 left in the game the tie remained 114-114. The Warriors took a one point lead with 3.6 left on the clock. Ja Morant would miss a two point shot and the Warriors had won a hard-fought road game against a very tough Grizzly team.

Ja Morant was the high score for the Grizzlies with 34 points followed by Jaren Jackson Jr. with 33. Either team was in position to take this game and it all came down to that one missed shot by Morant who does not miss very often. It could have come down to youth and inexperience in that final shot.

Poole was the hero of this game with 31 points in 38 minutes. He was 5 of 10 from downtown in a brilliant game by the 22-year-old. Stephen Curry finished with 24 points and hung in there with five personal fouls.

Wiggins, Poole and Porter Jr. all had eight rebounds apiece in a nice defensive effort. While there is lots of room for improvement this was a great start in this series for Golden State. A road win in the NBA semifinals is huge for any team.

Game Two of this series is scheduled for Tuesday May 3rd in Memphis. Tipoff is 6:30 PM.