NBA Playoffs schedule and results: Paul Pierce beats Hawks, Grizzlies smother Warriors

Paul Pierce does entertain us, but not like them. Sure, he trolls rappers, heckles hockey players and invents catchphrases. But he also ices playoff opponents with unprovable clichés, then proves them anyway. He can seem humble to his supporters and arrogant to his enemies in the same breath. He can laugh about his own basketball mortality minutes after zinging a defeated opponent for doubting him. He can linger on the fringes in crunch time, only to appear when his team needs him most to secure a pivotal Game 3 victory.

He’s a cocky winner changing a franchise once known for lovable losers. That’s how strong his cult of personality is.

The Warriors did make an inevitable fourth-quarter run and cut a 19-point lead to four, but Memphis hung on for a 99-89 win in Game 3. Suddenly, the best regular season team in basketball is down 2-1 in the Western Conference semifinals with another game in the Memphis “Grindhouse” looming Monday.

The Grizzlies are in the Warriors’ heads and under their skin. They have Golden State spooked on offense and flustered on defense, forcing a team with the NBA’s best offense and pace to adhere to a slow, grinding style. What other explanation is there for the Warriors’ 11-of-44 shooting behind the arc their last two games? They’re still generating decent looks on offense, but timely shots aren’t falling and Memphis is forcing them into tons of turnovers.

They did. The Warriors cut what was once a 19-point deficit to four thanks to a parade to the free throw line, but Memphis never gave up the lead on its way to a 99-89 win on Saturday. With another game in Memphis looming on Monday, it’s the Grizzlies who hold a surprising 2-1 lead over the NBA’s best regular season team.

It was a tough night for the Warriors shooters, who missed both open and contested shots without discretion. Golden State is renowned for its ability to make shots this season, but 43 percent from the floor and just 25 percent from behind the arc through three quarters wasn’t enough, not for the quality of looks the Warriors were seeing.

We mention the time frame because you can already buy a T-shirt to celebrate Pierce’s “I Called Game” quote.

As Yogurt once said, “Merchandising! Merchandising, where the real money from the movie is made.” This isn’t a movie, but the quote is still applicable.

Here’s what went down.

A lucky shot? Pierce didn’t agree.

What could be sweeter for fans in Washington, D.C., than a Bryce Harper walkoff home run over the Braves and chocolate syrup celebration?

How about a Paul Pierce buzzer beater to take a 2-1 series lead over the Atlanta Hawks just 30 minutes later?

His postgame interview though was legendary.

The Wizards had dug their grave but Paul Pierce refused to be buried in it. For the second time in two nights, the NBA had a bank shot game-winner as time expired, this time courtesy of The Truth.

Here are three things we learned.

Paul Pierce has done this thousands of times, but never for the Wizards. Now, he has. The Wizards’ magical season continues with a 103-101 Game 3 victory over the Hawks and a 2-1 series lead.

Think of what happens if Pierce doesn’t make this shot. The Wizards were in control the entire game, but somehow blew a 20-point lead to a Hawks team that was playing deep bench players like John Jenkins, Mike Muscala and Shelvin Mack. Somehow, the Hawks rallied led by those three, Mike Scott and Dennis Schroder. Improbably, Muscala tied the game with this wide-open three.

While Curry is leading what might be the best team in the NBA this season, Thabeet is playing in the D-League.

So rude, lol.

Then again, you might be like us, and watching the video over and over screaming, “DON’T HURT YOUR HAND ANY WORSE JOHN! STOP HIGH FIVING EVERYONE!”

At least it looks like he’s only using his good hand.

Wall has five fractures on his hand and wrist but wanted to play. He held off on making a decision until the last possible second but he decided against playing on Saturday. There is no confirmation at this time if he’s out for the rest of the series or the playoffs as well or could return at a later time. There’s a risk that playing could aggravate his non-displaced fractures, potentially leading to surgery.

Wall was averaging 17 points and 12 assists in five games in the playoffs before his injury.

Atlanta Hawks at Washington Wizards. 5 p.m. (ESPN)

Golden State Warriors at Memphis Grizzlies. 8 p.m. (ABC)

That’s understandable for many reasons. Wall told reporters on Friday that while the swelling in his wrist and hand had gone down, he hasn’t been able to do so much as dribble a basketball yet. Were this the regular season, Wall would likely be out several weeks to give the bones proper time to heal. As with any non-displaced fracture, there’s a possibility he could do further damage, which could affect his career long into the future.

Wall is obviously a gamer. He played in 219 straight games before missing Game 2, and he returned with little more than a tape job in Game 1 after his fall. Wall scored 12 points and had eight assists, five rebounds and three blocks after the injury, which has to go down as one of the gutsiest performances in recent memory.

In Game 1, Washington surged back from a double-digit second half lead to beat the suddenly cold-shooting Hawks 104-98. Wall scored 18 and dished out 13 assists, but suffered five fractures to his hand and wrist after a hard baseline fall.

Still, there’s enough intrigue, plus the possibility of PLAYOFF SESSIONS, that you really should watch. Here’s how.

Game 3 will likely set the tone for the rest of the series. If the Warriors can impose their will, like they did on the opening game of the series, it will likely mean that the Grizzlies will once again fall short against a better offensive team. If instead Memphis can control the pace and force Golden State to grind through half court possessions, the series could go long and the Grizzlies could be the last team standing.

Place: FedEx Forum