Warriors, Hawks clinch 4-2 series wins to advance
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) gestures as Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) walks behind during the second half of Game 6 of a second-round NBA basketball Western Conference playoff series Friday, May 15, 2015, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
MEMPHIS, Tennessee — Stephen Curry scored 32 points, including a 62-footer to end the third quarter, and Golden State advanced to its first Western Conference finals since 1976 by beating Memphis 108-95 on Friday night.
The Warriors advanced with some of the best shooting in the NBA postseason since 1985, becoming the first team since that year to hit 14 or more 3s in three consecutive playoff games. Curry was 8 of 13 from beyond the arc as the Warriors knocked down a playoff-best 15 3-pointers, closing out Memphis with their third straight win.
Curry, who had 10 assists, had the shot of the night after Andre Iguodala blocked Jeff Green’s shot near midcourt. Curry grabbed the loose ball and beat the buzzer from the Grizzlies’ 3-point line for a 76-68 lead.
Klay Thompson had 20 points for Golden State and Draymond Green added 16.
The Warriors will play the winner of the Los Angeles Clippers-Houston Rockets series in the conference finals. The conference finals will start Tuesday night at Golden State.
Marc Gasol led Memphis with 21 points and 15 rebounds.
HAWKS 94, WIZARDS 91
WASHINGTON — Atlanta made it to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time by beating Washington, holding on when Paul Pierce’s potential tying 3-pointer was released after the clock expired, and taking a 4-2 series victory.
The Hawks held on thanks primarily to DeMarre Carroll’s playoff career-high 25 points, including two layups in the last minute off assists from Jeff Teague.
After Al Horford went 1 of 2 from the free throw line for a three-point lead, the Wizards inbounded the ball with 6.4 seconds left. They got the ball to Pierce, who won Game 3 on a buzzer-beater. This time, his 3 from the corner swished through, but a replay review determined it was too late.
Atlanta hosts the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the conference finals on Wednesday.
