2015 NBA Playoffs
Western Conference Semifinals Game #2
#5 Memphis Grizzlies at #1 Golden State Warriors
Warriors lead Best of Seven Series 1-0
Oracle Arena – Oakland, California
Tuesday, May 5, 2015, 10:35 pm Eastern, TV: TNT
Opening Line: Golden State -10
Current Line: Golden State -10
Opening Total: 194 1/2
Current Total: 196 1/2
Opening Money Line: Warriors -600 / Grizzlies +460
Current Money Line: Warriors -600 / Grizzlies +460
The Golden State Warriors had the best record in basketball at 67-15 during the regular season. They have extended their dominance to the post season, winning their first five playoff games. The Warriors are especially great at home where they have gone 43-2 this season including the playoffs. Golden State hasn’t lost at home since mid January. The Warriors look to take a 2-0 series lead in the Western Conference semifinals against the Memphis Grizzlies Tuesday night in Oakland.
Golden State won the Pacific Division by 11 games over the Los Angeles Clippers. In the first round, the Warriors swept the #8 seed New Orleans Pelicans 4-0 but the game Pelicans were competitive in every game.
Memphis went 55-27 and finished tied for second in the Southwest Division with the San Antonio Spurs. Both teams were a game behind the Houston Rockets. Memphis was the #5 seed in the Western Conference but had home court advantage in the first round series against the #4 seed Portland Trail Blazers, who won the Northwest Division. Memphis won the series in five games despite losing point guard Mike Conley to a facial fracture in game three.
Conley also missed game one of the series against the Warriors Sunday. Even with Conley, the Grizzlies would have faced an uphill climb. Despite an 8 day layoff, Golden State looked sharp. Memphis made a three pointer to open the game, but would never lead again after that. Golden State took a seven point lead at the end of the first and would lead by 9 by halftime. Golden State led by as many as 20 in the third quarter but would take a 17 point lead into the fourth. Memphis would never get closer than 13 points in the fourth as the Warriors took the 101-86 victory in game one. Both teams shot over 45% from the field, but Memphis was only 3/12 from 3 point range.
Stephen Curry had 22 points, 7 assists, 2 rebounds and 4 steals. He would be named league MVP the next day after a brilliant season. Klay Thompson had 18 points, 6 assists and 3 rebounds. Draymond Green had 16 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. Harrison Barnes had 11 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. Marreese Speights had 10 points and 5 rebounds.
Memphis center Marc Gasol had 21 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Zach Randolph had 20 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Tony Allen had 15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Courtney Lee and Jeff Green each had 9 points. Lee started in place of Conley. Conley is listed as probable for game two, but he complained of light sensitivity while sitting on the bench in game one.
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Golden State is coached by Steve Kerr. The Warriors are 49-37-1 ATS and the total is 40-46-1 this season. Golden State was a 10.5 point favorite in game one Sunday and the total was 196.
Memphis is coached Dave Joerger. The Grizzlies are 43-42-3 ATS and the total is 36-50-2 this season.
Golden State is outscoring teams 110-100 this season. The Warriors lead the league in scoring. Golden State is shooting 47.8% from the field and 39.8% from 3 point range. The Warriors are #1 in both categories in the league. Golden State is #9 in free throw shooting at 76.8% from the line. Opponents are shooting 42.8% from the field and 33.7% from 3 point range. The Warriors are #1 in field goal defense and #5 in three point defense. Golden State averages 44.7 rebounds per game and opponents average 44.5 per game. Golden State is #6 in rebounding but #24 in rebounds allowed. The Warriors average 27.4 assists, 14.1 turnovers, 9.3 steals and 6.1 blocks per game.
Guard Stephen Curry averages 23.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 2 steals per game. Klay Thompson averages 21.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Draymond Green averages 11.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. He is probable with an ankle injury. Marreese Speights averages 10.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Harrison Barnes averages 10.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. Other key players in the rotation include David Lee, Andre Igoudala, Leandro Barbosa, Andrew Bogut and Shaun Livingston.
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Memphis is outscoring teams 98-95 this season. The Grizzlies are #2 in points allowed in the league. Memphis is shooting 45.9% from the field and 35.4% from 3 point range. The Grizzlies are #7 in field goal shooting. Memphis is also #7 in free throw shooting at 77.4% from the line. Opponents are shooting 44.2% from the field and 35.1% from 3 point range. The Grizzlies are #10 in field goal defense. Memphis averages 42.5 rebounds per game and opponents average 42.6 per game. The Grizzlies average 21.7 assists, 12.9 turnovers, 8.5 steals and 4.3 blocks per game.
Center Marc Gasol averages 17.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.6 blocks per game. Zach Randolph averages 16.1 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. Mike Conley averages 15.8 points, 3 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Jeff Green averages 13.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. Courtney Lee averages 10.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal a game.
Memphis is 4-0-1 ATS after a straight up loss, 3-0-1 after failing to cover, 5-1 in second round games, 6-2-1 against teams with winning records and overall, 8-3-1 against Western Conference teams, 16-7 in Tuesday games, and 2-5-1 on one day rest. The under is 5-2 in this series recently. The Grizzlies have covered 6 of the last 8 times in Oakland.
Golden State is 4-1 ATS in Tuesday games, 8-2 after a straight up win of more than 10 points, 19-6-2 against teams with winning road records, 8-3 after a cover, 2-5 after scoring 100 points or more, 2-6 overall, against Western Conference teams and against Southwest teams, 2-7 after a straight up win, 1-4 on one day rest and at home. The favorite has covered 5 of the last six games in this series.
Even with Conley, Golden State is just not a good matchup for Memphis. The Grizzlies might steal a game at home in this series, but they won’t win tonight. Golden State wins comfortably.
