NBA Playoffs 2015: Latest Scores, Round 2 Bracket, Standings and More
Surprisingly enough, every second-round series in the 2015 NBA playoffs enters a pivotal Game 4 with the opportunity for the home team and underdog to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.
To say the twists and turns have been dizzying thus far in Round 2 would be putting it lightly. The Washington Wizards are taking it to the East top-seed Atlanta Hawks even without star point guard John Wall, while the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Clippers have both followed with stellar starts against hyped foes.
Of course, that all pales in comparison to the Golden State Warriors trailing 2-1 to the Memphis Grizzlies—a result that is already sending shockwaves through the NBA. Steph Curry and Co. will need to heat back up in Game 4 to avoid falling into an insurmountable hole.
If you thought this round would simply be a breeze or simply concluded that one or two of the series would fail to be competitive, you were dead wrong. We now have storylines and surprises across the board, which sets up a mouth-watering next couple of days and weeks.
2015 NBA Playoffs Scores and Schedule
| Game 1 | Warriors win 101-86 | - |
| Game 2 | Grizzlies win 97-90 | - |
| Game 3 (at Memphis) | Saturday, May 9 at 8 p.m. | ABC |
| Game 4 (at Memphis) | Monday, May 11 at 9:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Game 5 (at Golden State) | Wednesday, May 13 at 10:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Game 6* (at Memphis) | Friday, May 15, TBD | ESPN |
| Game 7* (at Golden State) | Sunday, May 17, TBD | TBD |
| Game 1 | Bulls win 99-92 | - |
| Game 2 | Cavaliers win 106-91 | - |
| Game 3 | Bulls win 99-96 | - |
| Game 4 (at Chicago) | Sunday, May 10 at 3:30 p.m. | ABC |
| Game 5 (at Cleveland) | Tuesday, May 12 at 7 p.m. | TNT |
| Game 6* (at Chicago) | Thursday, May 14 at 8 p.m. | ESPN |
| Game 7* (at Cleveland) | Sunday, May 17, TBD | TNT |
| Game 1 | Wizards win 104-98 | - |
| Game 2 | Hawks win 106-90 | - |
| Game 3 | Wizards win 103-101 | - |
| Game 4 (at Washington) | Monday, May 11 at 7 p.m. | TNT |
| Game 5 (at Atlanta) | Wednesday, May 13 at 8 p.m. | TNT |
| Game 6* (at Washington) | Friday, May 15, TBD | ESPN |
| Game 7* (at Atlanta) | Monday, May 18 at 8 p.m. | TNT |
| Game 1 | Clippers win 117-101 | - |
| Game 2 | Rockets win 115-109 | - |
| Game 3 | Clippers win 124-99 | - |
| Game 4 (at Los Angeles) | Sunday, May 10 at 8:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Game 5 (at Houston) | Tuesday, May 12 at 9:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Game 6* (at Los Angeles) | Thursday, May 14, TBD | ESPN |
| Game 7* (at Houston) | Sunday, May 17, TBD | TBD |
Series to Watch
Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Not only did the Warriors win 67 games during the regular season, but their plus-10.1 point differential and an emphatic first-round sweep left most expecting another short series with the Memphis Grizzlies. But after three games, they have much more than a long series to worry about.
That's because the Grizzlies have come out to win two of the first three games in the series, taking a 2-1 lead heading into Game 4 at the "Grindhouse" of FedEx Forum. Memphis gave Golden State just its third home loss of the season during that stretch and kept it rolling three days later with a lopsided home victory in Game 3.
All 14 of ESPN's NBA experts picked the Warriors to advance, but that's not all—only three of them predicted the series to go more than five games. Of course, a five-game series is still in the cards, but not one in Golden State's favor.
Much has been made of jump-shooting teams in the playoffs, as their ability to keep it rolling in a playoff environment has been in question. Whether it holds any weight or not, Phil Jackson couldn't help but add his two cents—fit with his signature snark:
There's no doubting the fact that the shooting stroke just isn't there. Curry has shot 4-for-21 and Thompson 4-for-12 from three-point range in Games 2 and 3.
But do the Warriors' struggles have more to do with their own performance (or lack thereof), or what the opposition is doing to them? That will almost certainly decide which way this series shifts in the coming games.
While overlooked in this individual series, the Grizzlies' ability come postseason time is never in question. After all, their defensive style and physical nature breeds playoff-caliber play all season long.
With that said, the Warriors' newfound defensive edge in 2014-15 and ability from Draymond Green and Andrew Bogut to neutralize Memphis' bigs figured to loom large in this series. So far, it hasn't.
For all that Mike Conley and Memphis are doing to pull in front in this series, though, it's hard to deny that Curry hasn't been himself. And if he gets back to that, as Hardwood Paroxysm noted, the Grizzlies may not stand a chance:
"Is entertaining to see so many folks who just CAN’T BELIEVE what’s happening to Curry. A. Last two years B. Memphis is not other teams.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) May 10, 2015"
"That said, Curry probably goes for 40 on 10-of-12 3-point shooting in Game 4, because he’s the MVP for a reason.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) May 10, 2015"
Plenty of basketball is left to be played, but there's no sugar-coating the must-win status that the Warriors bring into Game 4. With momentum zapped and their worst play of the season coming to the surface, Golden State can ill afford to return home down three games to one against the defensive-minded Grizzlies.
Even though the Warriors have struggled mightily, the Grizzlies deserve mounds of credit for that. They have more than earned their way into the driver's seat of this series and just may have the right recipe to keep it going for two more wins.
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