2015 NBA Playoffs
Western Conference Semifinals Game #4
#1 Golden State Warriors at #5 Memphis Grizzlies
Grizzlies Lead Best of Seven Series 2-1
FedEx Forum- Memphis, Tennessee
Monday, May 11, 2015, 9:35 pm Eastern, TV: TNT
Opening Line: Golden State -4 1/2
Current Line: Golden State -4
Opening Total: 196
Current Total: 195 1/2
Opening Money Line: Warriors -210 / Grizzlies +180
Current Money Line: Warriors -180 / Grizzlies +155
The Golden State Warriors went 67-15 in the regular season and were by far the best team in the NBA. They have never lost three straight games this season, and only lost two straight games three times in the regular season. However, after winning game one of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Memphis Grizzlies, the Warriors have lost two straight games to the Grizzlies. Another loss in game four Monday night in Memphis in game four will put Golden State on the brink of elimination.
Golden State won the Pacific Division with a 67-15 record 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 young and plucky 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 missed game one of this series and Golden State won game one easily 101-86. Conley returned for the Grizzlies in game two and the Grizzlies won 97-90 to even the series. It was only the third home loss all season for the Warriors and first since January 27.
In game three Saturday in Memphis, Golden State took an early 15-10 lead. However, Memphis went on a 25-9 run and would never trail again. The Grizzlies would lead 55-39 at halftime. Golden State cut into the lead in the third but still trailed by 15 going into the fourth. The Warriors pulled to within four points with just over 3 minutes to go but would get no closer. Memphis pulled away and took the 99-89 win.
Golden State shot 43.2% from the field but were 6/26 from 3 point range. The Warriors had 17 turnovers. Memphis shot 45.1% from the field and made 5 of 16 three pointers.
Memphis forward Zach Randolph had 22 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists. Marc Gasol had 21 points and 15 rebounds. Conley had 11 points and 5 assists. He was wearing a different style mask for game three than he did in game two. In the third quarter he popped some of the stitches around his eye and referees had to stop the game to stop the bleeding. He didn’t miss any game time though. Courtney Lee had 11 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals.
League MVP Stephen Curry had 23 points for the Warriors but was only 8/21 from the field including 2/10 from three point range. He also had 6 assists and 2 rebounds. Klay Thompson had 20 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks. Harrison Barnes had 16 points and 6 rebounds. Andre Igoudala and Marreese Speights each scored 9 points off the bench. Speights suffered a pulled calf muscle in game three and is out indefinitely.
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Golden State is coached by Steve Kerr. The Warriors are 49-39-1 ATS and the total is 40-48-1 this season. Golden State was a 4.5 point favorite in game three and the total was 196.
Memphis is coached Dave Joerger. The Grizzlies are 45-42-3 ATS and the total is 36-52-2 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.
Golden State is 21-8 ATS in Monday games, 8-20 on one day rest, 2-6 against teams with winning records, 1-4 in second round games, in road games and against teams with winning home records, 2-8 overall, against Western Conference teams, and against Southwest teams, and 1-6 after a straight up win. The under is 5-1 in this series recently and 4-0 in Memphis in the series.
Memphis is 5-0-1 ATS at home, 7-1 in second round games, 6-1 after a cover, 5-1 against Pacific Division teams, 8-2-1 against teams with winning records and overall, 7-2-1 against Western Conference teams, 3-1-1 on one day rest, 5-2 in Monday games, and after a straight up win. The Grizzlies are 9-4 ATS in the last 13 games against the Warriors.
The Grizzlies are loaded with playoff experience and they have a bruising physical style that has bothered the Warriors so far. Despite the gaudy regular season record, Golden state is still a young team that is learning how to win in the playoffs. The Warriors rely on three pointers for a large portion of their offense. If those shots aren’t falling, then the Warriors struggle. Still, if the Warriors are true championship contenders, then this is the type of game they win even in a hostile road environment.
