Butler, Curry put Dubs in NBA playoffs

Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler combined for 75 points as the Golden State Warriors squeezed into the NBA playoffs on Tuesday with a pulsating 121-116 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.

- Anthony, Black help Magic past Hawks

A thrilling play-in duel at San Francisco’s Chase Center saw the Warriors hang on after a ferocious second-half fightback by Memphis, who trailed by as much as 20 points before rallying back to edge into the lead late in the game.

But just when Memphis threatened to pull off a famous victory, Curry stepped up with a huge 15-point fourth quarter to shepherd the Warriors to a win that sets up a first-round playoff series against second seeds Houston.

Curry finished with 37 points, including six three-pointers, while Butler led the Golden State scoring with 38 points in another masterful performance from the former Miami Heat talisman.

Butler though singled out teammate Curry for rescuing the Warriors with a heroic fourth-quarter display.

“Tmtellingyou, that’s a Batman ifI've ever seen a Batman — always coming to save the day,” Butler said of Curry.

“You're never out of any game [with Curry], he’s so poised, so calm and he was a huge part of getting us the victory,’ he told TNT television.