NBA Playoffs 2015: Friday Schedule, Odds, Picks for Conference Semifinal Action
Rushing to conclusions rarely works out in sports, even during a seven-game NBA playoff series. After facing early obstacles, each conference's No. 1 seed can advance to the conference finals with a Friday night victory.
Remember a time long, long ago when the Golden State Warriors couldn't buy a bucket? Turns out a prolific offense and a vastly underrated defense don't stay cold for too long. They've regained the lead with two decisive victories over the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Atlanta Hawks can't chalk up their faults to a miniature cold stretch. Squeaking out two nail-biters to erase a 2-1 deficit against the Washington Wizards, they now sport a plus-3.4 point differential during the postseason.
Golden State and Atlanta both have an opportunity to clinch their respective series on Friday. If they can't win Game 6 on the road, a winner-take-all Game 7 awaits at home.
| 7 p.m. | Atlanta Hawks | Washington Wizards | ATL 3-2 | WAS -2.5 |
| 9:30 p.m. | Golden State Warriors | Memphis Grizzlies | GS 3-2 | GS -5 |
Atlanta Hawks at Washington Wizards
As Paul Pierce decreed to Atlanta's bench upon sealing Game 5, thus giving his team a 3-2 edge with the game-winning three pointer, "Series." Guess everyone can go home now.
Wait, the Hawks won that game? How embarrassing...
Following The Truth's false prophecy, reported by the Atlanta Journal Constitution's Chris Vivlamore, Al Horford cleaned up the glass to guide home the actual deciding bucket. Pierce's late-game touch is widely revered, but the Hawks center has quietly carried the postseason clutch gene, per ESPN Stats & Info:
Horford scored 23 points in a game where neither side mustered much offense. During an ugly 82-81 bout, both teams combined to shoot 9-of-39 from three-point range. Yet Wizards fans can take solace in three of those misses coming from John Wall, who played through five fractures in his hand and wrist.
He played better than anyone could have reasonably expected, going 7-of-16 for 15 points, seven assists and four steals during 37 minutes.
"I didn't have any problems with my hand," Wall told ESPN.com's Ohm Youngmisuk. "I was able to play aggressive and make plays, so I was fine."
Wall also coughed up six turnovers, but the Hawks' Jeff Teague gave away seven turnovers with an unfractured hand. Atlanta finished Game 5 with more giveaways (23) than assists (21), continuing to look anything like a No. 1 seed.
Deciding their last three games by eight combined points, these two are evenly matched, a problem considering the Wizards underwent two of those matchups without Wall. Now an uninspiring 27-19 on the road, including postseason play, the Hawks will have to wait another game to cement their franchise's first Eastern Conference Finals bid.
Prediction: Wizards 95, Hawks 93
Golden State Warriors at Memphis Grizzlies
Here's an idea: Let's wait before a series ends before deciding a "shooting team" can't succeed in the postseason.
Stephen Curry suffered an uncharacteristic shooting funk, going 4-of-21 from downtown in both losses. Yet the NBA's three-point leader kept firing away, making 10 of his next 22 deep tries. SportsCenter offered a simplified correlation between his shooting stroke and Golden State's success:
Curry averaged 3.6 three-point makes per game this season. The Grizzlies aren't in the best shape if they're crossing their fingers for the MVP to go cold for another pair of meetings, especially given their own offensive shortcomings.
After scoring 90 points in Game 2 and 90 in Game 3, the Warriors bounced back to score 101 and 98 during the last two games. But those framing this matchup as a battle of offense vs. defense forget that they also sport a superior defense to the Grizzlies.
The season's top-rated defense has stifled Memphis' No. 13 offense to 88.8 points per game this series. During their five bouts, Golden State has generated 102 points per 100 possessions to Memphis' 94.3.
Tony Allen's absence helped Golden State widen the gap. With Mr. First-Team All-Defense sidelined due to a hamstring injury, the Warriors shot 46.9 percent and 46.7 percent from deep range. Curry, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala and Harrison Barnes combined for 69 points.
According to Yahoo Sports' Marc J. Spears, Allen will return for Game 6:
While his perimeter defense will help, his presence won't stop Golden State from finishing this series.
Prediction: Warriors 102, Grizzlies 90
Advanced stats are courtesy of NBA.com.
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