The Grizzles built an early lead, but Golden State left with the series lead with a 98-78 win in Game 5 of this Western semifinal, heading back to Memphis one game away from locking FedExForum's doors for a few months. Game 6 is scheduled for Friday at 8:30 p.m.
1. MATH IS EASY; 3-POINTERS KILLING THE GRIZZLIES
Memphis' 3-point threat is less believable than LeBron driving a Kia.
It's glaring more than it ever and that's difficult because it's glared pretty vividly for years now. Not one soul on the Memphis Grizzlies' roster can make 3-pointers.
Meanwhile, Draymond Green threw a pass about 12 rows in the seats, only to see Andre Iguodala come down with it, release and make one of the Warriors 145 3-pointers. That particular one made it 77-59 and it only got worse.
Throw in Stephen Curry making one-handed bombs on one leg while orchestrating a Rubix's Cube with the other and the math adds up pretty well.
Golden State won by 20. The Warriors made 14 3-pointers to Memphis' 4 of 15. If not for Zach Randolph's hot start that gave Memphis an early 10-point lead, the Grizzlies lose by 30.
In Memphis' two wins in the series, it limited Golden State to 11 combined 3s. Without Tony Allen, who sat with a resting hamstring, both Curry and Klay Thompson went off. But Memphis has to score and right now, can't defend the 3 and can't score enough 2s. Curry had six 3s and six steals, the first to accomplish the feat in the playoffs.
On the flight back to Memphis, Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger should have been checking NCAA 3-point shooting statistics.
2. ZACH RANDOLPH STARTED HOT, THEN BECAME INVISIBLE
The Grizzlies big power forward hit 5-of-7 shots in the first quarter. Then, Memphis decided to take a stab at jumpshooting and Randolph took five more shots the rest of the way.
"I thought our intensity picked up after the first quarter," Golden State coach Steve Kerr said.
It did, but the Grizzlies helped take away their early weapon and it showed. Memphis had 25 points and led by 10 with 2 minutes, 25 second left in the first quarter.
After that, Beno Udrih missed a 21-footer and Vince Carter, who the Grizzlies look to have lost the bet on, missed three straight 3-pointers.
Carter was working the glass, six rebounds in 20 minutes, but hopefully the flight isn't depending on his remaining fuel to get home. Randolph looked gassed up, until his own team let off the gas for him.
He finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds and not enough looks in the second half, for the second straight game.
Same with Courtney Lee, who made every shot he took. Too bad for Memphis, it was only three shots.
"You've got to open up the floor, knock in shots from the perimeter and make them wonder a little bit when they come to double team from the back side," Joerger said. "We've got to get our spacing correct when guys are supposed to cut and guys are supposed to be available on the perimeter. And we've got to step up and knock some shots down."
3. GRIZZLIES BEATEN AT THEIR GAME
Memphis' bench scored 17 points. Iguodala scored 16. No math adds up in the Grizzlies' favor. The bench made 6-of-23 shots. Backup center Kosta Koufos was 0 for 4.
If the Grizzlies are going to give up double-digit 3-pointers, then the paint is a must. There, Memphis lost 34-30. Rebounding has to be won. Memphis lost 44-43.
"We can't put up two 16âpoint quarters and play against teams that can score," Joerger said. "You've got to be able to score."
Center Marc Gasol did have 18 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. It also took him 22 shots.
For a second straight night and a second straight loss the looks were there, but Memphis finished 15 for 42 in the paint. That's the girl the Grizzles brought to the dance, so bless them for sticking with her, but she's about to dump you because going to the dance isn't enough. Gotta make a few of the shots. If not, Friday at FedExForum is the last dance.
4-1 -- Memphis is 4-1 all-time in Game 6s.
3 -- Zach Randolph was feeling it early, so much he took a 3-pointers and made it, his third career postseason triple.
