The Golden State Warriors defeated the Grizzlies 108-95 in the Western Conference Semifinals to advance to their first Western Conference Finals in 39 years (1976).
The Warriors opened up the first quarter on a torrid scoring pace, leading by as many 15 points (27-12) with 4:40 remaining in the opening period. Golden State improved to a perfect 53-0 this season when leading by 15-plus points.
Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson combined for 22 points in the first quarter (11 points apiece) and shot a combined 6-of-8 (.750) from three-point range.
The 2014-2015 Kia Most Valuable Player Award winner Stephen Curry finished the decisive game with 32 points on 11-of-25 (.440) shooting and hit 8-of-13 (.615) shots from beyond the arc in the process.
With the Grizzlies mounting a third quarter comeback – Memphis at one point cut the Warriors’ lead to just one (65-64) – Golden State went on a 9-4 run to end the period. The end-of-quarter run was capped by a highlight-reel 62-foot three-point shot as the clock expired by Curry. Curry became just the second player in the NBA all-season long to hit a 60-plus foot jumper – the other being Zach Randolph.
The Warriors would go on to secure the victory aided by a strong fourth quarter of play, pushing their lead to 15 points (85-70) with 9:54 remaining off of a 11-4 run to begin the period.
2015 NBA All-Star Marc Gasol finished with a team-high 21 points and 15 rebounds. Zach Randolph added 15 points while Vince Carter had a single-game postseason high of 16 points on 5-of-7 (.714) shooting.
The 2014-15 Memphis Grizzlies season was one to remember, highlighted by a number of franchise accomplishments including its third consecutive 50-plus win season. The Grizzlies finished the regular season with the fifth-best win percentage in the league (.671) as Grizz Nation consistently packed FedExForum, setting a franchise record for total home attendance (710,502) and average home attendance (17,329).
Key Stats of the Night
- The Warriors connected from behind the three-point line 15 times (out of 32 attempts)… The 15 three-pointers were a 2015 playoff-high, one shy of the franchise playoff record of 16 (at Dallas on May 1, 2007).
Key Run of the Night
- Memphis had cut a 15-point Golden State lead down to five (73-68) when Stephen Curry came up with a loose ball and knocked down a 62-foot heave at the third quarter buzzer… The shot ignited a 10-0 Warriors run to rebuild a 15-point advantage (83-68)… Golden State improved to 53-0 this season (and playoffs) when leading at any point by 15-or-more points.
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Quotes
One the game
On playing without Tony Allen
On trying to play through injury
On going down fighting
On being disappointed since not playing until June
Player Notes
- Stephen Curry recorded his first double-double of the 2015 postseason with 32 points and 10 assists, but his fifth career playoff double-double... He shot 11-of-25 (.440) shooting including 8-of-15 (.533) from long range, one of those being a 62-foot three-pointer to end the third quarter... Curry also recorded a playoff career-high eight three-pointer, tying Klay Thompson's franchise playoff record for threes in a game.
- Klay Thompson became the 12th player in Warriors postseason history to score 500 points... Thompson finished with 20 on 7-of-13 shooting (.538), eight rebounds and three assist.
- Draymond Green had his 11th career double-double (seventh this postseason) with 16 points (6-of-11 FG) and 12 rebounds.
- Marc Gasol led the Grizzlies with 21 points on 7-of-23 shooting (.304) and 15 rebounds... Gasol has double-doubled in the last four games against the Warriors.
- Vince Carter led the second unit with 16 points and notched a 2015 playoff single-game high in scoring.