The Golden State Warriors are out to make history on Wednesday night, but the Memphis Grizzlies want to spoil the party.
Victory for the Warriors would see them break the Chicago Bulls’ record of 72 wins on the season, but Memphis, who were within seconds of beating the Warriors on Saturday night, are aware of the historical significance of tonight’s game, and won’t be rolling over.
“It’s for history, baby,” Joerger said. “We’re going to give it our best shot. You also know that sitting out there in 24 hours you’ve got a chance to be the answer on every Trivial Pursuit card for the next 75 years. We’ll see what we’re going to do with that.”
“They’re chasing history,” Memphis forward Matt Barnes said after the Grizzlies’ 110-84 loss to the Clippers on Tuesday night. “We have a chance to interrupt history. Playing in Golden State, I know how alive that crowd is going to be, and I’m going to be very excited to be part of that game.”
Memphis have clinched a playoff slot already, but go into the postseason in a slump, having lost nine of their past 10 games and three in a row. With Tuesday’s defeat against the Clippers, they are now tied with the Mavericks for sixth place in the Western Conference.
“The emotional tank is a little bit empty right now,” Joerger admitted.
Memphis, a team that had a 2-1 series lead over the Warriors in last year’s Western Conference semi-finals. Since then, they’re 0-6 against Golden State, including Saturday’s agonising 100-99 loss.
