Curry vs. Grizzlies
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (right) celebrates after making a three-point basket against Memphis Grizzlies guard Courtney Lee (5) during the first quarter of Game 5 of their NBA playoff series, in Oakland, California. Reuters/Kyle Terada/USA Today Sports

After struggling and trailing earlier in their best-of-seven series, the Golden State Warriors now have a 3-2 lead over the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA's Western Conference semifinals. On Wednesday night, the Warriors dealt the Grizzlies yet another blowout, beating them 98-78. The series now shifts back to Memphis for Game 6 on Friday.

This time, Golden State didn't need an offensive explosion from Stephen Curry, who finished with 18 points. Instead, it relied on team defense. The Warriors held down the Grizzlies to 39.8 percent shooting (33/83 FGs) as a team including 4-of-15 from the three-point area.

On offense, the other half of the “Splash Brothers” finally showed up for Golden State. Klay Thompson scored 21 points -- the game-high for the night and a personal high in this defensive-oriented series. Also for Golden State: Harrison Barnes added 14 points and Andre Iguodala came off the bench to score 16.

On Monday, Curry lit up the scoreboard in Game 4, blasting the Grizzlies for 33 points in the Warriors' one-sided 101-84 victory.

Golden State finished the regular season with a 67-15 win-loss record but trailed the Grizzlies, 1-2 after three games in this best-of-seven series. The Warriors regained homecourt advantage with the road win Monday and are now one win away from the Western Conference finals -- against either the Los Angeles Clippers or Houston Rockets.

On Wednesday, Memphis got double-doubles from Marc Gasol, who had 18 points and 12 rebounds plus 6 assists; and Zach Randolph, who had 13 points and 10 rebounds. The Grizzlies played with urgency to start the game; they led 23-10 after the first nine minutes of play but allowed the Warriors to end the quarter on a 16-2 run. Golden State never trailed again on the way to the easy victory.

To contact author of this article, email j.quizon@IBTimes.com.au.

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