2015 NBA Playoffs
Western Conference Semifinals Game #6
#1 Golden State Warriors at #5 Memphis Grizzlies
Warriors Lead Best of Seven Series 3-2
FedEx Forum- Memphis, Tennessee
Friday, May 15, 2015, 9:35 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN
Opening Line: Golden State -4 1/2
Current Line: Golden State -5
Opening Total: 197
Current Total: 198
Opening Money Line: Warriors -215 / Grizzlies +180
Current Money Line: Warriors -215 / Grizzlies +180
After losing two of the first three games in the Western Conference Semifinals against the Memphis Grizzlies, the Golden State Warriors looked to be in trouble. However, two straight blowout wins have the Warriors looking like the team that won 67 games in the regular season. The Warriors are up 3-2 in the series with game six Friday night in Memphis. A Golden State win would send them to the conference finals for the first time since 1976, while a Memphis win would force game seven Sunday in Oakland.
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.
Golden State won game one 101-86. Memphis won game two 97-90 in Oakland to steal home court. It was only the third home loss for Golden State all-season and the first since late January. Memphis won game three 99-89. The Warriors won game four 101-84 in Memphis to tie the series. golden State won game five 98-78 Wednesday night in Oakland. The Grizzlies have yet to score 100 points in the series.
Despite being without defensive stopper Tony Allen in game five, who missed the game with a strained hamstring, Memphis jumped out to an early 13 point lead. However, Golden State would rally to take a 26-25 lead by the end of the first. They would never trail again. The Warriors led by 8 at halftime. Golden State expanded the lead to 17 by the end of the third. The Warriors led by as many as 24 in the fourth and cruised to the 20 point win.
Memphis shot 39.8% from the field, including just 4/15 from 3 point range. Golden State shot 46.9% from the field including 14/30 from 3 point range. Each team had 16 turnovers.
Klay Thompson had 21 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds. Stephen Curry had 18 points, 7 rebounds, 6 steals and 5 blocks. Andre Igoudala had 16 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. Harrison Barnes scored 14 points and added 3 rebounds.
Marc Gasol had 18 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists for the Grizzlies. Zach Randolph had 13 points and 10 rebounds. Mike Conley had 13 points, 5 assists and 3 steals. Jeff Green started in place of Allen, and Green scored 10 points with 4 rebounds. Allen is questionable for game six.
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Golden State is coached by Steve Kerr. The Warriors are 51-40-1 ATS and the total is 40-51-1 this season. Golden State was a 10 point favorite in game five and the total was 198. Every game in this series has gone under the total.
Memphis is coached Dave Joerger. The Grizzlies are 46-44-3 ATS and the total is 36-55-2 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. He is out indefinitely with a calf injury. 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 5-1 ATS in Friday games, 9-3 after a straight up win by 10 points or more, 9-4 after a cover, and against teams with winning home records, and 3-8 after a straight up win. The favorite is 7-3 ATS in this series recently.
Memphis 5-1-1 ATS after a straight up loss and at home, 4-1-1 after failing to cover, 7-3 in conference semifinal games, 1-3-1 on one day rest, 3-11 in Friday games, and 1-4 against teams with winning road records. The under is 5-0 both overall and in Memphis in this series recently.
If Allen doesn’t play, Memphis has no shot of slowing down the Splash Brothers combination of Curry and Thompson. Golden State has also ramped up the defense in the last two games. If they play like that in game six then this will be another blowout. Memphis has had a great season, but it ends tonight.
