WASHINGTON – Reserve guard Jordan Poole had 31 points, nine rebounds and eight assists to power Golden State over Memphis, 117-116, in an NBA playoff series opener Sunday despite the ejection of Draymond Green.
Klay Thompson sank the decisive three-pointer with 36.6 seconds remaining and the Warriors denied Grizzlies playmaker Ja Morant twice in the final seconds.
“Big win for us to start the series, get home court advantage,” Warriors guard Stephen Curry said. “And get greedy in the second game.”
The best-of-seven matchup continues Tuesday at Memphis.
In the Eastern Conference, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a triple-double with 24 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists as the defending champion Bucks won, 101-89, at Boston.
At Memphis, Curry added 24 points for Golden State while Andrew Wiggins had 17 and Thompson 15.
Morant had 34 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds.
Green was ejected in the second quarter for a flagrant-2 foul, striking Brandon Clarke in the face and pulling him down by the jersey.
“This is a huge game to win, especially with him going out early,” Poole said.