By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Golden State Warriors suffered their worst 2022 playoff loss by 39 points in the ongoing NBA post-season after getting crushed by the Memphis Grizzlies, 134-95, while the Milwaukee Bucks completed their emphatic comeback to shock the Boston Celtics, 110-107, and moved one win away from a back-to-back Eastern Conference finals trip.
It was a humiliating defeat for the Golden State Warriors after getting blown out in a close-out game without the presence of Memphis’ superstar Ja Morant who was ruled out of the series due to a knee injury.
From the get-go, it was all Memphis as the hot-shooting of Jarren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, and Tyus Jones helped build a quick double-digit lead after the first quarter, 38-28.
The bleeding didn’t stop for Golden State as the duo of Jackson Jr. and Steven Adams out-muscled them in the paint, providing a bunch of offensive rebounds that mounted Memphis’ second-chance points.
Memphis’ 18 offensive rebounds hurt Golden State in the game and outrebounded them, 55-37, the biggest disparity in the glass throughout their five-game series.
Golden State made adjustments in the third quarter and opted to start the stretch big-man Nemanja Bjelica but also went to waste as Memphis steamrolled their way and built their largest lead of the game at 55 points.
With several minutes left before the end of the third quarter, the Warriors waved the white flag and sat Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green for the rest of the game.
Jackson Jr., Bane, and Jones all scored 21-apiece to lead the Grizzlies onslaught while Brandon Clarke and Dillion Brooks chipped in 11 and 12 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Conference, the Milwaukee Bucks’ never-say-die attitude rose to the occasion and helped them complete the comeback against the Boston Celtics.
Down by 14 points with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter, the surging Milwaukee squad clawed their way back and managed to tie the game after a Jrue Holiday three-pointer with 42 seconds left in the game.
The Celtics answered back after Jayson Tatum sank both of his free throws from the charity strip to take a two-point lead, 105-107, that put the pressure back to Milwaukee.
Giannis Antetokounmpo helped them inch closer with a one-point deficit after splitting his free throws but a Milwaukee offensive rebound broke the hearts of Boston as Bobby Portis Jr. converted the putback layup that put them ahead, 108-107.
Boston had the chance to win the game with the last possession but Holiday sealed the win for the Bucks who made the two biggest defensive plays in the game.
Marcus Smart decided to drive his way to the basket with 11 seconds left in the game but Holiday blocked his shot attempt and successfully tapped the ball off his body to reward Milwaukee with the possession.
The Celtics fouled Pat Connaughton who received the inbounding pass from Antetokounmpo and calmly sank both of his free throws.
With the win, Milwaukee will have the chance to finish the series on their home floor and will look to march into the conference finals for the second-straight year.
