Golden State at Denver 8pm ET on TNT | Memphis at LA Clippers 10:30pm ET on TNT
Tuesday night hoops action features two marquee match-ups (which are the only series that have kept our attention this first round). In the first game, the Golden St. Warriors, led by Steph Curry who put on the best playoff performance all year in game 4; will be looking to close out the Denver Nuggets tonight on the road.
In the latter half of NBA action tonight, we see a pivotal game 5 between the Memphis Grizzlies traveling out west to Los Angeles, for a showdown against the Clippers. Both teams have won each of their two games at home with series being tied. Tonight’s game for Los Angeles is essentially a must win, because going back to Memphis down 3-2 will not be in their best interest.
Check after the jump for more in-depth analysis of each game.
*UPDATE* Scores and Highlights from both games after the jump.
Grizzlies Take 3-2 Series Lead Heading Back Home For Game 6 Closeout In 103-93 Victory.
Nuggets Get Physical In Must Win To Keep Series Alive With Warriors In 107-100 Win.
(3) Denver Nuggets vs. (6) Golden State Warriors | Warriors Lead 3-1
Winning in the Pepsi Center is arguably the hardest thing to do in the NBA. Before this series started, only three teams in the entire NBA managed to do so last season. The Warriors have already proven themselves on the road, which should be added motivation to pull the upset in round one and close out the series tonight to advance.
Steph Curry has really set himself apart from the rest of the NBA, showcasing his elite NBA skills in the 2013 playoffs. With their all-star power forward David Lee going down for the season due to playoffs, back-up Andrew Bogut has really flourished this series providing consistent defense and respectable offensive contributions.
The Nuggets were thought to be the sleeper team before this year’s playoffs (ourselves include); but have fell to the wrath of the best 3-point shooting back-court tandems in the NBA. Denver’s going to have make adjustments, which we’re not sure what they can do with the whole Warriors team in sync shooting from beyond the arch. All eyes will sadly be on George Karl; and our pick for coach of the year, Mark Jackson will look to lead Warriors to their first series win in 6 years.
(4) Los Angeles Clippers vs. (5) Memphis Grizzlies | Series Tied 2-2
With the exception of game 2, each of the 4 games have been double digit victories for the home teams. In game one, the Clippers defeated the Grizzlies in convincing fashion by 20 points with Zach Randolph and Tony Allen sitting out most of the game due to foul trouble. In game 2 we would see the CP3 take over, as he nailed in a game-winning layup to take the 2-0 lead.
In games 3 and 4, the Grizzlies didn’t let the 0-2 hole discourage them from making it a series; which they won both games at home led by the contributions of their front-court tandem of Randolph and Mark Gasol. The Clippers have a chance this year (with the depleted West) to make a serious run; but it starts tonight with a must win at home for game 5. A loss tonight could potentially end their season with Memphis going back home for the close out later this week looking to avoid last year’s embarrassing game 7 loss.
Game 1 featuring Golden St. and Denver comes on at 8pm ET on TNT; with the Memphis and Los Angeles to follow at 10:30.