Watch Memphis Grizzlies @ Golden State Warriors live on Sunday night from 8:30pm via a free live stream on skysports.com, Sky Sports app and the Sky Sports YouTube channel; coverage also available on Sky Sports Arena
Sunday 16 May 2021 23:29, UK
Sky Sports' live coverage of the NBA continues on Sunday evening as the Memphis Grizzlies visit the Golden State Warriors to decide who will finish eighth in the Western Conference.
Golden State's plan got a lot simpler after Memphis' come-from-behind win over the Kings on Thursday night.
Their season finale against the Grizzlies team currently tied with them will decide the head-to-head tie-breaker - and therefore eighth place. Whoever wins finishes eighth and the loser slides to ninth.
While both teams have secured their spots in the new Play-In Tournament, finishing eighth makes all the difference - even if it means a potential Game 1 match-up against the Los Angeles Lakers.
It would give either the Warriors or Grizzlies two opportunities to make the playoffs, while the ninth-placed team would have to win two games in a row to do the same.
Before their crucial finale Golden State must first face the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night but they do so coming off the back of four straight wins, thanks in large part to the sparkling form of Steph Curry, who has averaged 35 points per game over that stretch and remains the leading scorer in the NBA.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies play the Sacramento Kings in a 'back-to-back' after knocking them out of playoff contention on Thursday night thanks to a furious late comeback.
Kyle Anderson ignited a 12-0 finish with a pair of hoops, including a three-pointer, and Jonas Valanciunas converted a three-point play to give Memphis the lead for good with 1:23 remaining, the game ultimately finishing 116-110.
The Grizzlies will host the Kings at the FedEx Forum once more on the back of a four-game winning streak of their own, before gearing up for Curry and co on Sunday as the curtain comes down on the regular season.
