Memphis was the last team to qualify for the first round of the play-offs in the NBA on Friday-evening. The Grizzlies did that at the expense of Golden State Warriors.
The Warriors were nevertheless allowed to finish the final game of the play-in tournament in the Western Conference at home in San Francisco, but lost 112-117 after extra time.
The strong holder among the visitors was Ja Morant with 35 points. That was four less than Stephen Curry, the star of the Warriors who, however, could not save his team from the elimination.
Memphis faces a tough assignment in the first round of the play-offs. After all, the opponent is then title favorite Utah, the strongest team in the regular competition. On Sunday, both teams will meet each other for the first time in the Vivent Arena in Salt Lake City, the home of the Jazz.
After Memphis qualifying, the eight matches in the opening round of the play-offs are fixed. In the East, they are Philadelphia-Washington, Brooklyn-Boston, Milwaukee-Miami, and New York-Atlanta; in the west Utah-Memphis, Phoenix-Lakers, Denver-Portland and Clippers-Dallas. Whoever wins four times first continues. (belga)
