In a crucial road game against the Memphis Grizzlies, the Golden State Warriors are facing a tough challenge that will have a result on their Playoff seedings.
Entering the game without Jonathan Kuminga and Gary Payton II, the team had to rely on someone to make the winning plays.
Who did they go to? Stephen Curry of course.
Seeding Implications: To Be #5 or Lower?
Both the Grizzlies and the Warriors need to win this game as whoever comes up on top gets to be the 5th seed in a tightly contested West standings.
Before the game, the standings were:
5.Grizzlies: 44-31
6. Warriors: 43-31
7. Clippers: 43-32
8. Timberwolves: 43-32
While the Top 2 to 4 seeds were being played by the Lakers, Nuggets and Rockets.
And so, when the game began, it felt like the Warriors had total control of the game as at one point in the 1st Quarter they were up 33 – 19. They even ended the 1st Quarter up by 13 points, 45 – 32.
But then the Grizzlies, with the help of their home crowd, were able to tie the game and outscored the Warriors in the 2nd Quarter.
“Splash Father” Arrives
Stephen Curry was able to have himself a night as early as the 1st quarter though, wanting to erase his scoreless output the last time when the Dubs visited Memphis and got blown out by 52 points by the end of game.
By the end of the opening period, the Chef was able to fill the stat sheet with 19 points (7/8 FG, five 3s), 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals. He was relentless on the offensive side doing everything that he could to solidify the Warriors postseason chances.
However, Jarren Jackson Jr. of Memphis was all business as he was able to make the Warriors big men commit a lot of fouls while he converted most of his free throw attempts. Ja Morant was also lethal from the field, “shooting” the lights out (no pun intended).
By the end of 1st half, the 4x NBA Champ already had 32 points, 11/16 FG, 8/10 on three pointers helping his team go up entering the dugout 74 – 66. Aside from his scoring, he also had 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and a block.
In the end of a back and forth 3rd quarter, the 1x Olympic Gold Medalist already had 11 made three pointers. Inching closer to the record that his former Splash Brother has, Klay Thompson, which is 14 made three’s.
At the end of a somewhat clutch game, the Dub Nation came out victorious with a 134 – 125 win as they got the 5th seed in the Western Conference. If the playoffs started today? They’d be facing LeBron James and Luka Doncic led Los Angeles Lakers in the 1st Round.
The 2016 Unanimous MVP ended with 52 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 steals, 11 made 3s. Curry also surpassed the All Time great Jerry West in the 25th All-Time Scoring list as well as making history of being the only player with most 50+ point games after turning 30-years-old with 10. Behind him? Wilt Chamberlain with 7 while Damian Lillard, Michael Jordan and James Harden all with 6.
I mean, look at Curry man, so inspirational.
The “Butler Effect” Continues
With this win, when Jimmy Butler plays for the Warriors, the team has won 19 games and have lost 4 times. I’d say that the “Butler Effect” is very much alive.
The 2x NBA Finalist also had a great game as he contributed 27 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and an impressive 12 of 12 from the charity stripe in order to get the win.
Warriors defensive anchor, Draymond Green, also had a great game with a Triple Double as he recorded 13 points, 10 boards, 12 dimes, a block and also being 4 for 4 from the freethrow line.
A very surprising and interesting fact for today was that the once upon a time labeled as the “Worst Free Throw Shooting Team in the League” actually ended the game being perfect from the line, draining 28 of them.
