The Conference semifinal between the Golden State Warriors and the Memphis Grizzlies was everything we wanted it to be and more. Top players, top performances, clutch jumpers, crucial blocks, Ja Morant, Stephen Curry, Jaren Jackson Jr, Jordan Poole in top form, and a subtle controversial, questionable Draymond Green ejection made for a perfectly fiery, nail-biting game.
Jaren Jackson Jr absolutely lifted the FedExForum arena. He hit 6 out of 9 attempted three-pointers and at one stage looked like scoring the bucket at every opportunity; He scored 33 points while Ja Morant hit 34 points.
He also got 10 assists and 9 rebounds, just one away from an impressive triple-double. The Grizzlies were on the front foot when Draymond Green got ejected. Even before that, Grizzlies looked confident and Ja was certainly moving his front foot to show off some dance moves.
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Desmond Bane shouldered Stephen Curry while driving towards the three-point line. He shrugged Steph off to score a three-pointer shot. Even before Bane hit the bucket, Ja hit his dance moves. However, that did not age well. Stephen Curry, in the dying seconds of the game, got a crucial block on Ja Morant and stole the ball.?
With Only 20 or so seconds on the clock, Steph stopped him from making a potential game-winner. The Grizzlies in the end lost by a mere one point and guess who could not make the game-winning lay-up, driving against Klay Thompson? An in form, producing a 34-point game, Ja Morant. Drama in the NBA, we love it.
Also read: NBA fans troll Ja after he hits the ‘griddy’
Warriors beat Ja Morant and the Grizzlies in their home
Just like Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr, Jordan Poole also had a blast. He scored 31 points with 8 rebounds and 9 assists. The Warriors enjoyed the ?Poole party? as he and Steph combined for 55 points while Steph got 24. Klay Thompson also contributed with his 15 points as he got the clutch 3-pointer to make it 117-116 with just 36 seconds left on the clock.
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Thompson missed the two free throws which could have put the game to bed. However, he coped up with his misses with a defensive hustle toward Ja Morant, which made him miss what would have been the game-winning lay-up.
WATCH THIS STORY: Top moments of Klay Thompson shooting
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The Warriors’ defense was impressive and more so because of the ejection of Draymond Green. Andrew Wiggins, Gary Payton II, Kevin Looney, and Otto Porter Jr. all contributed defensively with blocks, steals, and rebounds. With dangerous scorers like Steph, Klay, and Poole, the Warriors ultimately won because of their collective inspired defensive input.