Warriors Fight Off Grizzlies, Secure Home-Court for Series

In what could only be described as an intense, grind-it-out victory — the Warriors shocked the Grizzlies and came away with an impressive 117-116 win.  It’s been three years since the Warriors had experienced a high-stakes playoff game like this. Warriors forward Draymond Green received the boot near the end of the second quarter and the Warriors were forced to respond. 

But, the veteran core of superstar Stephen Curry and guard Klay Thompson had seen it all and were unfazed to say the least. From Curry dropping 33 points in the second half of Game 6 in the WCF versus the Rockets to the birth of “Game Six Klay'' in Oklahoma City, Okla.  — this was just another challenge that the Warriors answered collectively. 

Curry had 24 points on 5-for-12 shooting from 3-point land, Thompson had 15 points and the go-ahead 3-pointer at the end, and guard Jordan Poole continued to shine in the playoffs with 31 points while going 5-for-10 from deep. 

“Every game, it’s going to be a one-on-one type situation,” Curry said. “Taking all those challenges — you’re going to win some, you’re going to lose some. Be ready for the moment — it happens on the defensive end.” 

When the Warriors faced the Grizzlies in their first championship run in 2015, Head Coach Steve Kerr introduced the small-ball “Death Lineup” to the world. The Grit-and-Grind Grizzlies led by guard Mike Conley and then-center Zach Randolph seemed to have figured out the Warriors. The iconic ball movement came to a screeching halt and the newly anointed MVP was struggling. With the adjustment — the Warriors found their bread and butter and were on their way to capturing their first NBA championship in over 40 years. 

Now, Kerr went to the small lineup yet again — but this time — it was for the opposite reason. Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has been one of the league’s best young talents and is the driving force behind the new era of Grizzlies basketball. As such, it was necessary to start Warriors guard Gary Payton II in hopes of slowing Morant down. 

“[It was] a real easy [conversation],” Kerr said of sending Poole to the bench. “I didn’t say it but Steph Curry came off the bench for four games. If Steph Curry can come off the bench, then anybody can come off the bench.” 

Kerr went to the high pick-and-roll early in the game to get the offense rolling. Payton II was the recipient of a Curry hook-pass and as he dove to the lane, Payton II elevated and posterized Grizzlies forward Desmond Bane. It was fairly competitive in the first quarter, but the Grizzlies started to gain some separation with Morant’s constant attacks to the basket and his two layups gave the Grizzlies an early eight point lead to end the first quarter. 

With Green ejected in the second — the Warriors were forced to respond. Kerr went to Poole to start the third and Poole was able to give the Warriors some offensive spark. 

“I don’t think we were angry, I just thought we were determined,” Kerr said. “We knew that was a tough break that didn’t go our way. I think the way we started the third quarter was really important. I think that run was really important — to establish that we weren’t going anywhere.” 

In transition, Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins pushed the pace and found an open Curry in the corner. Curry and Poole played catch, and Curry finally released the 3-pointer and got fouled in the process — giving the Warriors a 68-66 lead. 

With all the ups-and-downs in the game, the Warriors were still leading 91-90 at the end of the third.

The guard play of Poole and Thompson allowed the Warriors to gain a 103-99 lead midway through the fourth. With the game tied at 110, Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins found himself under the basket on a broken play and tied the game. The two teams traded baskets, and with the Warriors down 116-114 on the ATO play, Thompson curled off the Wiggins screen and let Grizzlies forward Desmond Bane fly by and nailed the 3-pointer, ending the game. 

“I played angry,” Thompson said. “Then Andre [Iguodala] grabbed me at the end of the game. He said ‘keep your composure,’ and then I realized I need to settle down. It’s one game. I’m very thankful for Andre’s leadership.” 

With the Warriors claiming a Game One victory and a motivated Green — look for Game Two to be just as fierce on Tuesday, May 3. 

(Photo credit: Joe Murphy / Getty Images)