The long -awaited confrontation between two of the best NBA franchises of this season has indeed started this Sunday, May 1 and the least we can say is that it starts strong!
Match 1 : Memphis Grizzlies - Golden State Warriors (116-117)
Excluded, disappointed and injuries
The Warriors could not dream better. A victory in the clutch at the end of a match rich in emotions: beautiful game, rhythm, twists and turns, intensity ... everything we expect from a real ball of balls.
But yet the team trained by Taylor Jenkins had perfectly started the meeting: an effective ja more (14 points, 5/9 on shots and 4 rebounds in 12 minutes) and which even allows itself to taunt its opponents with small dances and a little trash-talk, but good war. They logically finish the first quarter with 8 points ahead while the Warriors were struggling to find their marks. They also commit many mistakes (Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry And Gary Payton II collect 3 faults each at the end of the second quarter). Then came the game drama: the imposing pivot of Golden State, Draymond Green pulls Brandon Clarke's jersey and obtains a second blatant fault (flagrant foul), synonymous with expulsion from the field. The Warriors coach, Steve Kerr, explodes and will even launch a '' You f***in' kidding me '' to the referees of the meeting, which remain of marble. The tone is set. And to top it all, the, Steph Curry teammates will take a safe blow, two monstrous counters, one of which will end with a laser pass for a alley-oop of the inevitable I Morant. First part of the difficult match for the Californian franchise which has also lost its best defensive asset. Despite everything, at halftime, the Memphis team only displayed 6 points ahead (61-55).
The start of the 3rd quarter seems more balanced, thanks in particular to a Curry chef who, probably a little annoyed by this start of the game, begins to chain the right shoots. But the one whose performance is necessary to remember is the rear Jordan Poole. Constant throughout the match, the one we call '' the microwave '' does the job. Côte Grizzlies, Temetrius Jamel Aka Ja Morant (34 points, 9 rebounds and 10 assists) and his acolyte J.J.J. Aka Jaren Jackson Junior (33 points, 10 rebounds and 1 pass) are literally on fire!
In the Money-time of the match, the Warriors lead a small point (116-117) seven seconds from the final buzzer. Klay Thompson, less in view than usual, with two free throws that would force Memphis to take the shoot three points on the clutch. But the latter misses the two shots and leaves a breach for the Memphis team. JA MORANT, BALL in hand, try a final lay-up for the win ... But guess who stands on his way? Klay Thompson who catches up with his error by defending perfectly on the star of the Grizzlies. Final result: 116 to 117 for Steve Kerr's team. But the Californians left feathers with it with The elbow fracture of Gary Payton II.
Match 2 : Memphis Grizzlies - Golden State Warriors (106 - 101)
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The '' Young King '' recover his throne
'' We gonna have some fun ! ''. This was the Domestic Declaration addressed to Curry after the final buzzer. How to explain this slight arrogance? By slamming 47 points (15/31 on shots), 8 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 interceptions! And yes, the MIP (Most Improved Player) stole out above everyone with a performance worthy of the legends of the NBA. And for the anecdote, he had already planted 47 points during the 2021 playoffs against Utah! Record therefore equaled. And even if Gary Payton II is no longer there to defend on him, it must be said that this "little" 22 years old has the audacity and the charisma of the big ones. He even scores the last 15 bridges of his team! The Warriors could not do anything despite good Stephen Curry (7 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists) and Jordan Poole (20 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists). Klay Thompson, already feverish in the first game, disappointed with only one 5/19 on shots.
The '' next big thing '' It's very fun, and the Golden State Warriors will undoubtedly scaffold a plan to muzzle it from Game 3. But beware of this team from Memphis who owns other weapons that could prove to be the '' x-factor '' Last matches in this series.
Equality between the 2 teams (1-1) and meet on Sunday May 8 at the Chase Center in San Francisco, for a match 3 not to miss under any circumstances! Get Ready
