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NBA: Steph & Jimmy hunt down Grizzlies, merciless Magic destroy Hawks
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 16.04.25. | 10:04
After the first play-in clashes in the 2024/2025 NBA season, Golden State and Orlando secured the playoffs, while the defeated Memphis and Atlanta will have one more chance
The NBA post-season has officially started! Last night, seeds #7 and #8 in both conferences faced each other in the first round of play-in, and those clashes provided us with two more playoff participants.
In the West, Golden State brushed Memphis aside at home 121-116, behind their ruthless duo of Jimmy Butler and Steph Curry, who combined for 75 points! The former apparently entered his well-known "playoff mode" and poured on 38 points, while the Warriors' icon scored one point less.
In the Grizzlies' squad, Desmond Bane and Ja Morant stood out with 30 and 22 points, respectively. Yet, despite the defeat, the crew from Tennessee will have another chance to reach the playoffs, as they'll face the winner of the duel between Sacramento Kings (seed #9) and Dallas Mavericks (seed #10) in the decisive match.
On the other hand, the opening play-in game in the East did not bring excitement, as Orlando ruined Atlanta in Florida 120-95. The Magic had as many as five double-digit players, beating the Hawks with superb team basketball led by Cole Anthony, who scored 26 points.
As for the visitors from Georgia, Trae Young's 28 points weren't enough for the playoffs at this point, though Atlanta will - just like Memphis - have another shot to redeem themselves, facing the winner of the clash of the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat.
NBA - PLAY-IN
Western Conference
Wednesday
Golden State Warriors - Memphis Grizzlies 121-116
/Butler 38 - Bane 30/
Thursday
05:00: (1.60) Sacramento (13.0) Dallas (2.60)
Eastern Conference
Wednesday
Orlando Magic - Atlanta Hawks 120-95
/Anthony 26 - Young 28/
Thursday
02:30: (1.90) Chicago (12.5) Miami (2.10)
***odds are subject to change***
