Keeping the Warriors at bay always seemed impossible, and the Grizzlies doing so for even two games was remarkable. When Golden State bounced back on Monday, it seemed a relative certainty that it was the beginning of renewed momentum, and Wednesday's Game 5 bore that out. It was a thorough, bell-to-bell beating and will see the Warriors head back to The Grindhouse with the hopes of wrapping the series up in six. In so much as series momentum exists, it belongs to Golden State, and Memphis has but a single day off to figure out how to score on the league's top defense. The Warriors entered the half with a 49-41 lead, looking more or less comfortable at home but not quite enough so that they'd be cruising to a victory in the second half. Memphis doesn't exactly play that way, not even when The Grindfather is on the shelf.
Golden State came out a bit cold, but the Grizzlies couldn't clean up their own glass - the Warriors missed four shots on a single possession early in the third quarter - and it ate away at the efficacy of their defense. Despite a 4-of-12 start to the second half, the Warriors were able to hold serve through their cold spell and never let the lead get smaller than six. Combine the 14 offensive rebounds with an enormous 31-6 edge in fast break points for the game and it's little surprise Memphis couldn't hang despite a characteristically gritty effort.
Game 1: Warriors 101, Grizzlies 86 (Warriors lead 1-0)
Game 2: Grizzlies 97, Warriors 90 (Series tied 1-1)
Game 3: Grizzlies 99, Warriors 89 (Grizzlies lead 2-1)
Game 4: Warriors 101, Grizzlies 84 (Series tied 2-2)
Game 5: Warriors 98, Grizzlies 78 (Warriors lead 3-2)
Game 6: Friday, May 15, 9:30 p.m. ET
Game 7*: Sunday, May 17, 3:30 p.m. ET
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