Warriors Come Alive In Fourth Quarter Advance To Conference Finals 110-96

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry drives to the basket against Memphis Grizzlies center Steven Adams during the first half of Game 6 at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Fri May 13, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Come Alive In Fourth Quarter Advance To Conference Finals 110-96

By Barbara Mason

Friday night the Golden State Warriors took on the Memphis Grizzlies looking to finish off this semifinal series against Memphis. The Warriors in game 6 did just that and pulled it off with a 110-96 win in a 4-2 series win.

The good news for the Warriors is that they played Game six at Chase Center. There was a lot of good news for the Grizzlies as well. They were playing at an incredible level in game 5 on Wednesday and their confident level was off the charts.

The Warriors on the other hand were playing very poorly before Friday night’s game after getting stomped on in Memphis in game 5. They played at an all-time low on Wednesday trailing at one point in the game by 55 points.

The final was 134-95 in favor of Memphis. There was no energy, no focus, no discipline and horrible ball protection by the Warriors in that game and that was cleaned up on Friday night advancing to the next round of the playoffs. Golden State did not want to take this series back to Memphis.

Game 6 recap: Golden State came out with better focus and energy to start the game. They led after the first quarter 30-26 in a highly competitive game. At the half the Warriors led 53-51 in a real dog fight. Protecting the ball continued to be a problem for the Warriors with 12 turnovers in the first half.

Steven Adams left the game late in the second quarter with a possible right leg issue but was able to play the second half which was great news for the Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies outscored the Warriors in the third quarter by a single point but the Warriors clung onto a 78-77 lead heading into the fourth quarter

What the Warriors have waited to see for a few games now was unleashed in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. A furious rally from Golden State finished off the Grizzlies. Golden State is headed to the third round of the Western Conference Finals.

The slow start in this game finished in a blaze of glory. The defense was amazing with Kevon Looney finishing with what has to be his all time high 22 rebounds. Draymond Green had 15 rebounds and 14 points.

Andrew Wiggins had 11 rebounds and 18 points. It was a brilliant defensive effort in the fourth quarter. The Splash Brothers came to play although it was Stephen Curry who really came to life to close out this game. Klay Thompson finished with 30 points and Curry with 29.

After all that he has been through the past two plus years it was a very happy Thompson after the game. “I tried to focus on the present . Another closeout game at Chase gave me butterflies,” he said. “I’m gonna kick my feet up and watch the Suns,” Thompson said.

They will now await the results of the Suns vs Mavericks in a game seven semifinal. ‘I am going in hungry when that time comes. You can’t take anything for granted,” said Thompson as they look ahead to the Western Conference finals. He had nothing but great things to say about the amazing game from Looney. “Kevon was big time. He is great at the rim, he is a Warrior for life.”

The team will now await their opponent in the Western Conference Finals having a few days to rest and digest this amazing win.

Warriors Suffer an Ugly Beat Down in Memphis 134-95

The Memphis Grizzlies Jaren Jackson Jr (13) and the Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry (30) take a spill in their battle for the basketball in first half action at the FedEx Forum in Memphis in game 5 on Wed May 11, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Suffer An Ugly Beat Down In Memphis 134-95

By Barbara Mason

After the horrendous game that Golden State played on Monday night against the Memphis Grizzlies every expectation was that they would come out ready to put this series to bed.

They did just the opposite with 14 turnovers in the first half. They were traveling, throwing the ball out of bounds, stepping out of bounds and missing open shots.

Whatever they could do wrong, they did it. Memphis had 13 offensive rebounds in the first half and they were outplaying the Warriors in an obvious must win game for them.

Memphis won the first quarter 38-28 and then went on a crazy run winning the second quarter 39-22. The Grizzlies led by the score of 77-50 at halftime. Memphis dominated in every statistical category in this game.

The Warriors would have 22 turnovers when all was said and done. The Grizzlies would dominate the boards thought this entire game. Golden State had no rhythm, no focus, no energy; they didn’t have much of anything tonight.

Every single Warrior sitting on the sidelines at the end of the game were hanging their heads in shame. This was a very disappointing and embarrassing loss for the team. Thompson had 19 points for the high score followed by Kuminga with 17 points.

The Grizzlies had seven players in double digits. Jaren Jackson Jr., Tyus Jones and Desmond Bane each contributed 21 points in this game.

Friday night the Warriors will have to turn things around because they absolutely do not want to play a game seven in Memphis. Losing is not an option, this is a must win for Golden State. Tipoff is 7:00 PM PDT at the Chase Center in San Francisco for game 6.

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Kerr continues to quarantine, Brown will coach game 5; Morant out tonight

Golden State Warrior head coach Steve Kerr walks off the floor heading for a press conference in preparation of game 2 at the FedEx Forum in Memphis against the Memphis Grizzlies on Mon May 2, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with David:

#1 The Golden State Warriors who take a 3-1 series lead into Memphis can sew it up tonight at FedEx Forum. The Warriors the last time they were in Memphis barely won game 1, 117-116 and lost game 2 106-101 do you see them struggling in Memphis or after watching them at Chase Center for games 3 and 4 they’ve got this?

#2 The Warriors behind for much of Monday night’s game 4 in San Francisco but in the final minute Stephen Curry was fouled twice and connected for two free throws each time and the Warriors got daylight and put away the game by four points.

#3 Warrior head coach Steve Kerr continues to quarantine after going into Covid 19 protocols on Monday and did not make the trip to Memphis as assistant coach Mike Brown will be at the helm for game 5 tonight. From Kerr’s point of view it’s got to be driving him up the wall having to sit out a first round game 5.

Join David Zizmor for the Warrior podcasts each Wednesday during the NBA Post season at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors Take Game Four 101-98 for 3-1 series lead; Game 5 goes back to Memphis Wednesday night

The Memphis Grizzlies guard Tyus Jones (21) tries to get a finger roll going against the Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) defending in game four at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Mon May 9, 2022 (AP news photo)

Warriors Take Game Four To Lead Series 3-1

By Barbara Mason

After a wild and crazy Game Three the Golden State Warriors took on the Memphis Grizzlies in Game Four at Chase Center. In another crazy turn Head Coach Steve Kerr was not on the sidelines testing positive for Covid. A more than competent Mike Brown took over at the helm in this game.

After suffering a knee sprain in Game Three Ja Morant was not in the lineup for this game. Memphis has the weapons to be a threat despite Morant’s absence.

The Warriors who trailed most of the game got the lead for keeps thanks to Stephen Curry’s free throws under the last minute of the game for a 101-98 game four win to take a 3-1 series lead back to Memphis on Wednesday night.

The Warriors had a horrible start. They would finish the first half 2 of 20 from beyond the arc. At the half the Warriors trailed by the score of 41-38. Considering the way they were playing they were extremely lucky to only be trailing by three. Missed open shots, far too many fouls, and shooting at 34% will not win very many ball games.

The Warriors had a third quarter that was no different from the first and second quarters. The final two minutes of the quarter saw a bit of a spark from Golden State. Curry hit a shot from downtown which reignited the crowd. The Grizzlies were hanging onto a slim lead 62-60 with two minutes left in the quarter. Desmond Bane would hit a 32-foot buzzer beater giving the Grizzlies a 69-62 lead going into the fourth quarter.

Golden State would have a single quarter to turn this game around. Every time the Warriors got close the Grizzlies would answer. With four minutes left in the contest Golden State was running out of time. The Warriors went on a 10-2 run to win this game for the four point win. This was a game that the Warriors could not afford to lose and when push came to shove they weathered the storm in Warrior fashion.

Curry finished the game with a high score of 32 points. The Warriors did have a nice defensive game. Draymond Green had 11 rebounds and Andrew Wiggins had 10.

Game Five will be back in Memphis at the FedEx Forum and all signs point toward the return of Ja Morant. The Warriors have to turn this offense around and put a lid on these turnovers. Leading the series 3-1 the Warriors have everything to play for. Game five will be on Wednesday with tipoff scheduled for 6:30 PM PDT.

Golden State Warriors report: Head coach Kerr comes up positive for Covid 19 sits out tonight; Mike Brown to coach game 4 vs. Memphis tonight

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr sat out for game 4 due to Covid 19 protocols against the Memphis Grizzlies at Chase Center on Mon May 9, 2022 (sfgate.com file photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr entered Covid 19 protocols as announced by the Warriors on Monday ahead of game 4 as the Warriors prepared to host the visiting Memphis Grizzlies.

Mike Brown the Warriors assistant coach and who was recently hired to be the Sacramento Kings head coach for next season took over as head coach for tonight’s game at the Chase Center a few hours after it was learned that Kerr would not be coaching the NBA Playoff game.

It was not disclosed by Golden State if Kerr was experiencing symptoms but was learned that he’s is quarantining from home and it was not known how long he will be out. Covid 19 according to White House reports says that the pandemic is flourishing again and it’s just a question whether masks and social distancing at NBA playoff games would return depending on how the spread gets.

Brown is in the unique position of being a head coach officially of two NBA at the same time as Brown was hired by the Kings on Monday. After the post season Brown will be taking over at the Kings and will be working from the Golden One Center in Sacramento.

The Warriors who have a 2-1 best of seven series lead on the Grizzlies both teams have had quite a physical series with a number of flagrant 2 fouls called with the Grizzlies Dillion Brooks who was suspended for game 3 after fouling the Warriors Gary Payton II who broke his elbow on the foul.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Morant cries dirty pool says Poole grabbed and injured his knee

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

Warriors Dismantle Memphis 142-112; Golden State goes up 2-1 in series

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.

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Will the rest of this series turn into a war between both teams?

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

Golden State Loses A Wild One To Memphis 106-101; Series tied at 1-1

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.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Is Green hurting the team with his uncontrolled emotions or is he a big part of the Warriors DNA

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