Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler III totaled with 75 points as the Golden State Warriors ousted the Memphis Grizzlies 121–116 on Tuesday night, securing the seventh seed in the Western Conference in the NBA playoffs.
The play-in showdown at San Francisco’s Chase Center was packed with drama. Golden State built a 20-point lead, but Memphis went back in the second half to take the lead late in the fourth quarter. That’s when Curry stepped up – he sealed the victory by scoring 15 of his 37 points in the final period.
Butler, who added his own 38 points, highly praised his teammates’ clutch performance.
“If you’ve ever seen Batman, it’s Batman. I’m always here to save the day,” Butler said of Curry.
Curry knocked down six three pointers and hit all 13 free throw attempts, showing vintage calm at the biggest moments of the game.
The Warriors are now facing the second seed Houston Rockets in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
The Grizzly is still alive
Memphis led Ja Morant with 30 points and 22 points. The Grizzlies will get another shot by making the playoffs when they face the winner of Wednesday’s game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Sacramento Kings and the winner of the final West Spot.
Set up a Hawks Over Over Celtics Collision
At the Eastern Conference, the Orlando Magic comfortably punched the playoff tickets with a 120-95 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
Cole Anthony led the charge with 26 points 26 points off the bench, while rookie Anthony Black added a 16. Magic blew a close contest by outscoring Atlanta in the fourth quarter by 20.
Wendell Carter Jr. chipped in with 19 points, while Paolo Bancello nearly scored a triple double with 17 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
Orlando will face defending champion Boston Celtics in round one of the playoffs starting Sunday.
The Hawks’ final chance
Atlanta still has the shots to reach the postseason, leading 28 points ahead of Trey Young’s 28 points left. They will face the winner of Wednesday’s play-in game between the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat for the final playoff spot in the East.
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