Golden State Warriors eager to punch ticket to conference finals

The Golden State Warriors look to close out the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 5, which would clinch another conference finals appearance. 

The Golden State Warriors won Game 4 in front of their home crowd, with a 101-98 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. This puts the Warriors up 3-1 in the series, and just one final win is needed for Golden State to make the Western Conference finals. Memphis is the higher seed, so Game 5 is a home game for the Grizzlies.

Does Memphis have enough fight in them to extend the series, or are the Warriors getting ready to continue their long postseason run at the title?

In their loss on Monday night, the Grizzlies were without their superstar Ja Morant, due to a knee injury. News broke yesterday that he has a bone bruise on his right knee and is doubtful of returning for the rest of the playoffs. Not an ideal situation for the Grizzlies, but the team has had success without him when Morant did not play this season.

Memphis had a 20-5 record in the 2021-22 NBA season when Ja Morant did not play. The Grizzlies are a tough team even without their best player, and that showed in a hard-fought loss in Game 4. Morant is obviously a massive part of the Grizzlies’ success and his numbers in this series prove that. 

Every aspect of an NBA game is amplified in the playoffs, and the Warriors are used to the intensity and pressure. The Grizzlies are a much younger team with less playoff experience, and I think that has shown in this series.

Golden State is a polished team in the postseason. Their chemistry is evident and they have the players needed to continue playoff success. After missing the playoffs for two consecutive seasons, I think the Warriors are ready to play any team they have to face.

It’s going to take a serious team effort for Memphis to stop Golden State and win Game 5. In close-out games where Steph Curry plays, the Warriors are 18-9 all-time. Golden State is a team that is built for postseason success.

Even with Game 5 on the road, I expect the Warriors to take care of business. I don’t think Golden State wants to play any more games than they need to. Getting some extra rest before the Conference Finals could be a slight edge for the team.

I’m not sure why, but tonight just feels like a night where Jordan Poole is going to show up big time. He’s scored 25 points or more in five playoff games this season. I anticipate another great night offensively for Poole.

Memphis does not want their season to end in front of their home crowd, and the Warriors are eager to end the series tonight in Game 5. Will the Grizzlies be able to claw out a win without Ja Morant, or will Golden State be making yet another appearance in the Western Conference Finals?