OAKLAND -- The highly anticipated Western Conference semifinals match-up between the Golden State Warriors and the Memphis Grizzlies, two powerhouses with varying styles, went underway on Sunday at the Oracle Arena in Oakland.
It's the "run and gun" Warriors against the "nitty gritty" Grizzlies.
The Warriors got here by sweeping the young emerging team New Orleans Pelicans, and the concern entering this series was how the top seeded Warriors will deal with the Memphis defense. Well, they did so by going on a scorching start before winding up shooting 61.5 percent from the field and 50 percent behind the arc (8 of 16) at the half.
The Memphis Grizzlies punched a second round ticket by dispatching the hobbled Portland TrailBlazers in five games. Although the Grizzlies advanced with very little resistance, the bigger story was they lost Mike Conley, who suffered a facial injury in Game 3.
Without Conley, the Grizzlies lost their leader and chief playmaker.
Stephen Curry scored 22 points and Klay Thompson added 18 points to lead the Warriors in dominating Game 1 win over the Grizzlies. Draymond Green started the Warriors high octane offense hitting 3 big shots from deep early in the first quarter to gain early control of the game in front of a buzzing Oracle Arena which is arguably the best home court advantage in all of NBA.
Nick Calathes started the game for Memphis in Mike Conley's absence, but held scoreless with only 2 assists. Beni Udrih did not help the cause either, he only finished the game with seven points and 1 assist.
Marc Gasol led the Grizzlies with 21 points and Zack Randolph contributed 20 points and both finished with 9 boards a piece. If the Memphis Grizzlies don't get Mike Conley back soon, it will be a very short series.
Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday March 5th at 7:30 here at the Oracle Arena.
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