On the NBA Playoffs with J Hawkes:
#1 Washington Wizards 118 @ Philadelphia 76ers 125 (game 1)
#2 Los Angeles Lakers 90 @ Phoenix 99 game 1
#3 Atlanta Hawks 107 @ New York Knicks 105 game 1
#5 Memphis Grizzlies @ Utah Jazz game 1
Join Joe for the NBA Playoffs throughout the post season for the NBA Playoff podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors looks down at the floor as the Warriors were eliminated by the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA Western Conference Play In game at Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday May 21, 2021 (AP News photo)
By Jerry Feitelberg
The Golden State Warriors (0-2) lost a heartbreaker Friday night to the Memphis Grizzlies (2-0) 117-112. The Warriors lost by three to the Lakers Wednesday night. Had they won the game, they would have been the eighth seed and play the Utah Jazz this Sunday. Could the Warriors rebound?
Did they have enough gas left in the tank to take down the young and hungry Memphis team? The Warriors beat the Grizzlies last Sunday 113-101, and the team was confident they could beat Memphis again. Unfortunately for Golden State, Memphis figured out a way to beat them.
The Grizzlies’ young stars Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks led Memphis to the playoffs. They gave the Warriors all they could handle. Golden State didn’t quit as a late surge in the fourth quarter forced the game into overtime.
The Grizzlies got off to a great start. They were leading 24-14 when Steph Curry went on a personal 10-2 run to bring the Warriors within two, 26-24. Jordan Poole hit a three to give the Warriors a short-lived lead 27-26. Memphis regained the lead to finish the first quarter leading 30-29.
Things did not go well for the Warriors in the second quarter. Memphis started the quarter on a 15-9 run. They increased the lead to 15, 57-42. The Warriors Stephen Curry made a three, and Jordan Poole made a two-point basket to close within ten, 59-49.
The Grizzlies answered with a three to finish the first half leading 62-49. The Grizzlies outscored the Warriors 32-20 in the period. The Warriors continued to have problems handling the ball. They turned the ball over nine times in the first half to give the Grizzlies 13 points. Curry led the Warriors with 17. No other Warrior were in double figures. The Grizzlies’ bench outscored the Warriors bench 25-11.
The Warriors’ defense came to life in the third quarter. The Warriors held the Grizzlies to 16 points while scoring 24. The Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks hounded Curry all night long. Curry and Andrew Wiggins helped the Warriors fightback to finish the third quarter trailing by five, 78-73.
The fourth quarter would be a nailbiter. Memphis upped the lead to nine 97-88 with less than three minutes left in the game. The Warriors went on a 9-0 run tie the game 97-97. Draymond Green, Jordan Poole, and Curry all made key plays on the 9-0 run. Memphis went ahead by two 99-97 with 55 seconds left.
Andrew Wiggins made a bucket to the game 99-99. Memphis had the ball with 33.2 seconds left. The Warriors defense came up with the stop. The Warriors had 9.2 seconds left to make a basket and win the game. They could not score, and the game went into overtime.
Memphis scored the first bucket in OT. Wiggins tied it with a two-pointer to tie the game at 101-101. Curry scored a basket to put the Warriors in the lead 102-101. The Grizzlies’ Grayson Allen connected on two three-point shots to make it 107-103.
Green and Poole made baskets from downtown to give the s the Warriors advantage, 109-107. The Grizzlies’ Xavier Tillman made a three. Ja Morant made two more buckets to put the Grizzlies in the driver’s seat 114-109 with four seconds left. Poole hit a three to cut the lead to two, 114-112. With two seconds left in the game and Memphis had the ball. Desmond Bane scored the final three points of the game. Memphis wins 117-112.
Game Notes and Stats: The Warriors’ season ended Friday night. The Warriors lost key players to injuries. Klay Thompson will return to action next season. He suffered an Achilles tendon injury in November and worked hard to get back into playing shape.
Rookie center James Wiseman suffered a knee injury, Kelly Oubre, Jr wrist, Eric Paschall hip flexor. The Warriors were down to eight players. Curry had an amazing season and is now a candidate for the NBA’s MVP award. Jordan Poole showed that he could be an offensive threat coming off the bench. Poole was sent down to the G-League. He found his game.
Andrew Wiggins played well on both ends of the court this year. Green, a finalist for Defensive Player of the year, excelled as a point guard. He was third in the league with assists, averaging about nine per game.
Curry led the Warriors with 39 points. He was 13-for-28 from the floor and connected on six threes. Andrew Wiggins had a double-double with 22 points and ten boards. Green did everything he could to help the Warriors effort. He finished the night with a triple-double.
The Warriors usually never lose when Green has a triple-double. It was the second time in his career that the team lost when he achieved his goal. His line was 11 points, 16 rebounds, and ten assists. Poole had 19, Kent Bazemore ten.
As a team, the W’s shot 44.7% from the floor. They made 12 threes.
Ja Morant led Memphis with 35 points. Dillon Brooks had 13, Jarret Jackson 10. The Memphis bench outscored the Warriors bench 40-27.
The Warriors committed 21 turnovers. Memphis scored 22 points off those turnovers.
So, the season ends for Golden State. The team played well down the stretch. Curry was amazing. The team may not be going to the playoffs this year, but there is great anticipation for next season when Thompson, Wiseman, Paschall, and Oubre return. They were fun to watch.
The Golden State Warriors forward Kent Bazemore offers guard Stephen Curry a drink to cool off from his 46 point night against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sun May 16, 2021 (AP News photo)
By Jerry Feitelberg
The Golden State Warriors (39-33) played the final game of the regular season Sunday afternoon at the Chase Center in San Francisco against the Memphis Grizzlies (38-34). The teams were tied with identical season records 38-33. The winner of the game would be the eighth team in the Western Conference.
The loser would be the ninth. In the new NBA play-in format, the eighth team plays the number seven. The winner of that game becomes the number seven seed and will face the second-best team in the conference in the first round of the playoffs.
The loser will face the winner of the game between number nine and number ten. The loser of that game is done for the season. The winner meets the loser of number eight or number seven. The winner then becomes the eighth seed and faces the team with the best record. The whole play-in formula sounds confusing, but after Sunday’s game, things are a bit clearer. The Warriors helped explain what will happen as they beat the Grizzlies 113-101.
The Warriors, led by Stephen Curry, had to find a way to slow down the Grizzlies in the fourth quarter. The Warriors ended the third quarter leading by 17, 86-69. The Grizzlies had bottled up Curry in the first half. They held him to 13 points, and they trailed at the end of the first half, 55-49. Curry came to life in the third quarter when he put 17 points on the board. The Warriors seemed to be on their way to an easy victory.
However, the Warriors have to be wary of a fourth-quarter letdown. The Grizzlies’ young star, Dillon Brooks, went on a personal 8-0 run to make it 86-77 game. Curry made a three and a deuce to put the W up 91-79. The Grizzlies put their offense into overdrive as they continued to put points on the board while stopping the Warriors on defense.
They tied the game at 91-91, finishing a 22-5 run. The question at this point was this: can the Warriors regroup and find a way to win? The question was answered when Dillon Brooks fouled Draymond Green. Brooks, who covered Curry like a blanket, was gone.
Green made the two free throws to make it 93-91. Memphis responded by going ahead 97-95. The Warriors’ Jordan Poole started a 14-0 run with a three. Andrew Wiggins scored to give the Warriors the lead 100-97. Curry showed the Grizzlies why he is the best shooter in the game. Curry made three consecutive threes to give Golden State a 12-point lead 109-97. The Grizzlies were toast. They could not catch Golden State. The Warriors win 113-101.
Game Notes and Stats: The Warriors will face either the Portland Trailblazers or the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday night. A Laker loss and a Portland win will send the Warriors to Portland. If the Lakers win, the Warriors will face the Lakers at the Staples Center. If the Warriors win the play-in game, they will be the seventh seed. If they lose, they will host the winner of the game between Memphis and San Antonio for the eighth seed.
Curry joined Michael Jordan as the only two players 33 years or older to win the NBA scoring title. Curry finished the season with an average of 31.8 points per game. Curry finished the night with 46 points. It was the 11th game this season with 40 or more points. It was the 38th game with 30 or more points.
Curry had help from Green, Andrew Wiggins, Jordan Poole, and Juan Toscano-Anderson. Green’s line was 14 points, nine boards, and nine assists. He almost had a triple-double. Wiggins had a double-double- with 21 points and ten rebounds. Wiggins continued to be consistent on both ends of the court.
Poole had 15. The Warriors shot almost 50% from the floor. They connected on 15 threes. Curry knocked down nine of the 15 threes. Quite a performance for the two-time NBA MVP. The Warriors outrebounded the taller Grizzlies 52-48. The Warriors recorded 26 assists on 41 made field goals. The only ugly stat was the 19 turnovers.
The Grizzlies’ Jonas Valenciunas paced his club with 29 points and 16 rebounds. Dillon Brooks had 18, Ja Morant 16, Kyle Anderson 10, and Jaren Jackson 14. The Grizzlies shot 43% from the floor, and they made six threes in 25 attempts.
The Warriors won their sixth game in a row to finish the season 39-33. The Grizzlies are 38-34. The Warriors’ next game is Wednesday night, either in Portland or Los Angeles.
by Marko Ukalovic
MEMPHIS, Tenn–Terence Davis had a chance at the end of the game to play the hero but his deperation three-point attempt at the buzzer rimmed out as the Memphis Grizzlies held on by the skin of its teeth to defeat the Sacaramento Kings 107-106 on Saturday evening at FedEx Forum.
Memphis have won five games in a row, including the two-game sweep over the Kings, and head into Sunday’s finale showdown with the Golden State Warriors with eight place in the Western Conference on the line. Sacramento has lost two in a row and three out of its last five games.
The Kings (31-40) entered the game tying a NBA record for futility. This is the 15th consecutive year they will miss the post-season, a record they now share with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Memphis (38-33) looked to have wrapped up the game with 46.5 seconds remaining in the game when Killian Tillie made a three-pointer to put the Griz up 105-99. However, their poor free throw shooting down the stretch (missing seven of its final ten) kept the Kings in it to set up Davis’ chance at the buzzer.
Louis King came off the bench and was the Kings leading scorer with 27 points on 10-16 shooting, including 2-5 from beyond the arc. Center Damian Jones led the starters with 17 points on six of seven shooting and 10 rebounds.
Justise Winslow led the Grizzlies in scoring with 25 points on 9-19 shooting, including 4-6 from three point land. Tillie and Xavier Tillman each chipped in with 16 points.
Memphis jumped out to a 29-25 lead after the first quarter as Winslow got off to a good start with 10 points in the first quarter. Jones kept the Kings afloat with his 10 points in the opening 12 minutes.
Sacramento went on a 13-0 run in a two-minute stretch starting at the 7:58 mark of the second quarter to go up 49-42. They closed out the half with a four-point lead 57-53.
Memphis started the third quarter cold and the Kings took advantage outscoring the Grizzlies 5-0 in the first 2:10 to extend its lead to nine, their biggest lead of the game at 62-53.
Down by nine points, the Griz finished the final 6:49 of the third quarter on a 16-6 run to go up 79-76 heading into the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter went back and forth with four lead changes and the biggest lead for either team was just five points by Memphis.
The game featured more of a G-League lineup than an NBA lineup. Memphis were without seven of its players including Jonas Valanciunas, Grayson Allen, and Sean McDermott. While Sacramento, who have been hit hard by the injury bug, were without stars Harrison Barnes, De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton and Marvin Bagley III.
GAME NOTES: Sacramento finished 15-21 on the road this season.
Buddy Heald, who has been dealing with ankle injury, was in the starting lineup and finished with 11 points and five assists.
UP NEXT: The Kings finish the regular season at home as they host the Utah Jazz on Sunday 5/16 at 6:00pm at Golden 1 Center.
Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) shoots against Sacramento Kings center Richaun Holmes (22) in the first half of action in Memphis on Thu May 13, 2021 (AP News photo)
On the Kings podcast with Barbara:
#1 The Memphis Grizzlies (37-33) eliminated the Sacramento Kings (31-39) on Thursday night to put the final touches on any chance for the Kings to get post season.
#2 The Kings put together a effort in the home stretch winning five out of their last six games before losing the Grizzlies on Thursday night the effort was there but they fell short in the standings.
#3 Barbara, It seems like a different player every other night to lead the team in scoring for Thursday it was Justin James who lead with 31 points.
#4 For Kings head coach Luke Walton it was an on and off campaign which included a nine game losing streak and this recent five out of six game wins to just miss the post season for the head coach.
#5 Kings vs. Grizzlies go at it again tonight at Memphis for game two of the series the Kings certainly will play for pride now and try to move into the win column tonight.
Barbara filled in for Jeremiah Salmonson for the Kings podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
The Sacramento Kings Buddy Hield (24) drives against the Memphis Grizzlies Dillion Brooks (24) on Thu May 13, 2021 in Memphis (AP News photo)
The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Thursday evening. The Kings were slated to take on the Memphis Grizzlies after playing the Oklahoma City Thunder at home on Tuesday. The Kings beat the Thunder on Tuesday and were looking to keep that momentum going on the road against the Grizzlies. The Kings unfortunately fell against the Grizzlies on Thursday night 116-110 and were officially eliminated from playoff contention. However, before we discuss Thursday’s game let’s revisit the Kings win against the Thunder on Tuesday night.
Flashback Tuesday: The Kings downed the Thunder on Tuesday after falling behind in the first half. The Kings may have had one of the best quarters of the season in the third as they outscored the Thunder 41-18. The Kings with the help of Terence Davis, who has taken a more active role in the absence of key Kings starters, scored 27 points. The Kings beat the Thunder by the final of 122-106.
Thursday night recap: The Kings were set to take on the Memphis Grizzlies for the first game of a back-to-back on Thursday night at 5 PM PST in Memphis.
In the first half, the Kings hung in with the playoff bound Grizzlies. In the first quarter, the Kings were outscored by the Grizzlies 36-32 as Memphis started the game red hot shooting the ball. In the second quarter, the Kings tightened up the defense and outscored the Grizzlies 28-23 to take a 60-59 halftime lead. The Kings would need to seal the deal to keep their playoff hopes alive. However, the third quarter wouldn’t be so kind.
In the second half, it was the third quarter that ultimately did the Kings in. The Grizzlies managed to outscore the Kings 30-23 in the third quarter to take a six point lead into the final 12 minutes of action. If the Kings hoped to keep their season alive they would need a rally. Unfortunately, the Kings didn’t get one. The Grizzlies and Kings both scored 27 points in the final quarter as Memphis downed the Kings 116-110 to end the Kings season hopes. The Kings already had an uphill battle to fight, but Thursday’s loss was the last nail in the coffin. The Kings were led in defeat by Justin James who had a tremendous game scoring 31 points. Dillon Brooks led the Grizzlies with 30 points in victory.
With the Kings eliminated from playoff contention for the 15th cod consecutive years. It is a disappointing end to the seasons hopes for the Kings who came into the year with high expectations.
Up Next: The Kings remain in Memphis to take on Grizzlies for the second night of a back-to-back on Friday at 6 PM PST.
The Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins who scored 38 points against the Phoenix Suns is congratulated by forward Draymond Green (23) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue May 11, 2021 (AP News photo)
On the Warriors podcast with David:
#1 The Golden State Warriors (37-33) were down but staged a comeback holding the Phoenix Suns (48-21) to just 18 points in the fourth quarter and scored 30 to win it 122-116.
#2 One of the keys to the Warriors offense was Andrew Wiggins who scored 38 points the Suns just couldn’t shut his shot or his offense down.
#3 It’s a tight spot for that last and final eighth spot in the Western Conference that the Warriors are holding onto they host the New Orleans Pelicans (31-38) on Friday night at the Chase Center and hope to keep winning to stay alive for a playoff position.
Join David each Wednesday for the Warriors podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
Photo credit: @warriors
By Jerry Feitelberg
The Golden State Warriors met the Grizzlies Saturday night at FedEx Forum in Memphis.
The Warriors were hoping to sweep the two-game set to win their third in a row. The Warriors were again without the services of Steph Curry, James Wiseman, and Eric Paschall. To make matters worse, the Warriors announced Kevon Looney would not play as he, too, was exposed to someone with the Covid-19 virus and, by NBA protocol, will not be available for 10 days.
What this meant for the Dubs was they had to play small ball once again. Draymond Green and Juan Toscano-Anderson would have to be the centers. Steve Kerr had Alen Smailagic available, too. Smiley did get into the game, but he played just eight minutes and committed five personal fouls. The Grizzlies Jonas Valanciunas took advantage of the smaller Warrior centers and lead his team with 19 points. The Grizzlies and Warriors played a very competitive game. The defense was the key as the Grizzlies held the Warriors to 34.4% from the floor. The Warriors held Memphis to 37.9%. The Grizzlies had just enough oomph to win 111-103.
The Warriors’ Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins paced the Warrior offense with 26 and 20 points. The Warrior offense did not do well in the first half, even though it finished with a two-point lead, 51-49. They shot 31% from the floor. Memphis was not much better. They shot 37.8%
The Warriors had a chance to win the game. Jordan Poole hit a three to give the Warriors a slim lead, 100-99, with 2:43 to play. The Grizzlies then went on an 8-0 run to lead 107-100 with 50 seconds left. Poole hit another three to make it 107-103. The Grizzlies scored the last four points of the game to win 111-103.
Game Notes and Stats: Steph Curry missed his second game in a row with a contusion on his tailbone. He is still in pain and may not play next Tuesday when the Warriors play the Philadelphia 76ers.
Jordan Poole continued his amazing turnaround Saturday night. The second-year player from Michigan knocked down 26 points to go along with four rebounds and five assists. He was 10-for-21 from the floor and connected on three threes. Andrew Wiggins, who scored 40 points Friday night, kicked in 20 points Saturday. Wiggins pulled down seven rebounds. The other Warriors in double figures were Kelly Oubre, Jr. and Juan Toscano-Anderson. Kelly, playing with a sore ankle, had 12 points and six boards. Toscano-Anderson had 11 points, six rebounds, and six assists. He made three threes in five tries. Draymond Green finished with seven points, eight rebounds, and three assists. The Warriors had eight steals, seven blocked shots, and forced 12 Memphis turnovers.
The Grizzlies had six players in double figures. Dillon Brooks joined Valanciunas with 19 points. Brandon Clarke and Desmond Bane, coming off the bench, had 16 and 15 points, respectively. Ja Morant finished with 14 points.
With the loss, the Warriors are 22-21 for the year. The Grizzlies improved to 19-20.
Up Next: The Warriors meet the Philadelphia 76ers Tuesday night at the Chase Center. The game will start at 7 pm PST.
Photo credit: @TheNBACentral
By Jerry Feitelberg
The Golden State Warriors faced a daunting task Friday night as they found themselves down three players against the Memphis Grizzlies. Their superstar, Steph Curry, was injured Wednesday in Houston. He suffered a contusion on his tailbone and was not able to play. James Wiseman and Eric Paschall were exposed to someone with the coronavirus, and by NBA protocol, they could not play. They will miss two more games. Kelly Oubre, Jr. was also injured in the Houston game, but he was able to play. Jordan Poole started in place of Curry. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr knew hoped someone would step up and help propel the Warriors to a win. That someone was Andrew Wiggins. Wiggins had a season-high 40 points to lead the Warriors to an easy 116-103 win over the young Memphis Grizzlies.
Jordan Poole continued to play well since his return from the G-League. He has found his game and has shown the Warriors that he was not another first-round draft pick that was a bust. Poole knocked down 25 points and connected on three threes from downtown.
The Warriors played well on both ends of the court. They had great ball movement all night long. They recorded 31 assists on 44 made baskets. Their defense was outstanding as they held the Grizzlies’ budding superstar, Ja Morant, to 14 points. The Warriors stole the ball 13 times, blocked six shots, and forced 20 turnovers. They scored 30 points off the 20 Memphis turnovers.
The teams played a very competitive first quarter. Memphis led 23-18 about two thirds through the period. The Warriors, behind Wiggins, Poole, and Damion Lee, finished the first 12 minutes of play with a 16-3 run to lead 34-26. Wiggins tallied 12 points, and Poole had eight points.
The Warriors continued to run and attack. Wiggins scored 15 more points to pace the Warriors to a 67-48 halftime lead. Wiggins finished with a career-high 27 points. It was the most points that he had ever scored in any half of basketball in his career. Poole finished the half with 17 points.
The Grizzlies failed to cut the deficit in the third quarter. The teams each scored 24 points in the period. The Warriors led by 19 after three periods 91-72. Kevon Looney, Damion Looney, and Wiggins all played well.
The Grizzlies won the fourth quarter 31-25. Most of the points came well after the game had been decided. The Warriors won 116-103.
Game Notes and stats: The Warriors won their second game in a row to improve to 22-20 for the season. Memphis dropped to 18-20.
Andrew Wiggins had quite a night with 40 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. He was 12-for-24 from the floor, and he connected on six threes in 11 tries. It was Wiggins’ best game as a Warrior. Jordan Poole’s line was 25 points, two rebounds, and two assists. He made 10 buckets in 15 attempts. He made three threes. Damion Lee, coming off the bench, also played well. Lee finished with 21 points, and knocked down four threes. Kevon Looney tied his season-high with 11 points.
Ja Morant and Grayson Allen led the Grizzlies with 14 points each. Their big center, Jonas Valanciunas, had a double-double with 10 points and 16 boards. Brandon Clarke, coming off the bench, had 13 points.
Up Next: The Warriors face the Grizzlies again Saturday night in Memphis. The game will start at 5 pm PST.
The Sacramento Kings center Richaun Holmes (22) gets a hand on the Memphis Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas (17) shot in the first half at Golden One Center in Sacramento on Sat Feb 13, 2021 (AP News photo)
By Jeremiah Salmonson
The Sacramento Kings came into their game on Sunday night licking their wounds. The Kings previous game they took on the Orlando Magic.
In Friday’s game, the Kings couldn’t really manage to contain the Magic. Nikola Vucevic ran all over the Kings defense by scoring 42 points. Ultimately, the absence of De’Aaron Fox and Marvin Bagley proved too costly for the Kings to overcome losing 124-110.
On Sunday night, the Kings were set to take on the Memphis Grizzlies. The Kings and Grizzlies had to postpone their previous two game due to COVID-19 protocols. The game was set for 7 PM PST in Sacramento. The Kings were behind for much of the game but got some scoring but never could catch up and lost by 14 points as the Grizzlies come away with a 124-110 victory.
In the first half, the Kings struggled on both sides of the ball. In the first quarter, the Kings were our scored by the Grizzlies 30-22 as neither the offense of defense was able to get a player to do well on either side of the ball.
The second quarter was more of the same. The Grizzlies out scored the Kings again in the second 32-24. If the Kings were looking to win the game they would need to improve play on both ends of the court. The Kings entered halftime down 62-46.
In the second half, the Kings offense improved but the defense wasn’t able to get stops. The Grizzlies outscored the Kings in the third quarter 37-33 to really put the game out of reach for the Kings.
In the fourth, the Kings managed to outscore the Grizzlies for the first time in the game 31-25 but it wasn’t nearly enough. The Kings have looked poorly on the defense end the last few games and it will be crucial for them to get that side of the ball back on track in order to snap the now three game losing streak. De’Aaron Fox led the Kings with 23 points as Jonas Valanciunas scored 25 points for the Grizzlies.
Up Next: The Kings will prepare to take on the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night in Sacramento a 7:00pm
