Bear Necessities
· The Memphis Grizzlies host the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals… This is Memphis’ first appearance in the conference semifinals since 2015, when the Grizzlies also met Golden State on 92.9 FM ESPN. Sunday's Game 1 Pregame starts at 2:00 p.m. with Jessica Benson with tip off just after 2:30 p.m. with Eric Hasseltine live on 92.9 FM ESPN.
· This marks the Grizzlies’ fourth trip to the Western Conference Semifinals but the first time in franchise history FedExForum has hosted Game 1 of a semifinal series.
· The Grizzlies defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round, 4-2, to advance to the West Semifinals… Memphis won the final three games of that first round series despite trailing by double digits entering the fourth quarter… Despite playing in just six games thus far, the Grizzlies are the first team in NBA history to log three such wins in a single postseason (ESPN Stats & Info).
· Memphis outscored Minnesota by 10.3 points in fourth quarters, the largest margin of any NBA team in the first round… The Grizzlies’ 33.0-point scoring average in the fourth quarter also led the league… Golden State ranked second in each category.
· The Grizzlies won the season series, 3-1.
Connections
Warriors center James Wiseman played collegiately at the University of Memphis.Grizzlies forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr., forward/center Xavier Tillman Sr. and Warriors forward Draymond Green played collegiately at Michigan State.Grizzlies forward Kyle Anderson and Warriors center Kevon Looney both played at UCLA.Grizzlies guard/forward Dillon Brooks, forward Brandon Clarke and Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins are from Canada… Wiggins teamed with Grizzlies guard Tyus Jones on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Grizzlies assistant coach Darko Rajaković and Warriors forward Nemanja Bjelica are both from Serbia.Grizzlies radio play-by-play Eric Hasseltine is a native of Walnut Creek, Calif., and graduated from UC-Davis.Grizzlies wing Ziaire Williams, guard Tyrell Terry and Grizzlies TV analyst Brevin Knight played at Stanford.
