Mike Conley overcomes mask, overshadows MVP Steph Curry as Memphis Grizzlies are in it

The Memphis Grizzlies dealt the Golden State Warriors only their third home defeat all year, levelling their best-of-7 second round NBA play-offs series 1-1 wit ha 97-90 shock away against the title favourites.

Mike Conley of the Memphis Grizzlies backs down Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors in his team's Game 2 victory on Tuesday in the second round of the NBA play-offs. John G Mabanglo / EPA / MayShow more

The masked man came to the rescue for the Memphis Grizzlies.

Mike Conley returned just eight days after having facial surgery to score 22 points, and the Grizzlies used a smothering defensive effort to beat the Golden State Warriors 97-90 on Tuesday night, levelling the Western Conference semi-finals 1-1.

“It felt like I played 50 minutes,” Conley, who played 27 minutes, said with a weary grin after the game. “I was a liability on defence there for a while, but my teammates lifted me up.”

Wearing a clear mask to protect his swollen face and red left eye, Conley stole the spotlight from newly minted MVP Stephen Curry. He made his first four shots to get the Grizzlies going, and his teammates did the rest on defence.

Zach Randolph had 20 points and seven rebounds, and Marc Gasol and Courtney Lee scored 15 points each to help Memphis end Golden State’s 21-game home-winning streak. The Warriors dropped to 42-3 this season at rowdy Oracle Arena, losing for the first time at home in more than three months and for the first time this post-season.

Game 3 is Saturday in Memphis.

When the Warriors started to rally in the closing minutes, Conley came through again. He made a three-pointer to give the Grizzlies a 90-80 lead with 2:11 left, silencing the sea of golden yellow shirts for good.

During one timeout, the TNT broadcast caught teammate Tony Allen calling Conley “One-Eyed Charlie”. Conley, who had three assists, cramped up and went to the bench briefly, but by that point, his job had been done.

Curry collected 19 points, six assists and five rebounds but had little help from backcourt teammate Klay Thompson, who was smothered by Allen’s aggressive play. The Warriors had 20 turnovers and shot just 41.9 per cent, including 23.1 per cent from three-point range. The Grizzlies had 13 steals.

“I thought we lost our poise tonight. We were in such a rush,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.

Golden State had not lost at home since a 113-111 overtime defeat to Chicago on January 27. The only other home loss came to San Antonio on November 11.

The Warriors had won their first five games in these play-offs, including a sweep of New Orleans in the opening round, and were riding the good vibes of Curry’s crown.

Curry received the MVP trophy from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver during an on-court ceremony just before tipoff, and fans serenaded Curry with chants of "M-V-P!"

Once the game began, the other point guard drowned out those cheers.

Conley started after missing the last three games recovering from surgery to repair broken bones in his face. He had been concerned about his mask fogging up, but he looked comfortable and in control.

Conley avoided serious contact until the second quarter, when Draymond Green hit him in the face trying to grab the ball as the point guard lay on the court signaling for a timeout. Conley winced in pain before getting up, and some Grizzlies shouted at Green as the teams headed to their benches.

Officials reviewed the play and ruled there was no excessive contact. Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger said simply, “stuff happens”.

“I got hit a couple times, I knew what it felt like and I played through it,” Conley said.

Memphis rallied behind their banged-up floor leader, scoring the final nine points of the half to take a 50-39 lead. It was only the second time this season the Warriors were held under 40 points in the first half.

*Associated Press

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