Even the Golden State Warriors can’t stop the hottest team in the league! Memphis won the top game of the Western Conference with 116: 108 and thus expanded a franchise record. Yes Morant brings victory to the finish with several clutch buckets, a triple double from Stephen Curry is not enough for the Dubs.
Memphis Grizzlies (29-14) – Golden State Warriors (30-10) 116:108 (BOXSCORE)
Morant got off to a really good start with 15 points in the first quarter, but was then kept in check by the Warriors before the point guard made the decision as closer in the final minute. He finished the game with 29 points (11/23 FG), 8 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks, making him the best man on the way to the tenth win in a row – franchise record.
In addition, Morant could look forward to important support from his teammates. For example, rookie Ziaire Williams made the best game of his young career with 17 points, backup guard Tyus Jones was hot from a distance (17, 5/5 threes, 8 assists). Brandon Clarke (14) also convinced from the bench, Jaren Jackson Jr. put on a double-double (13 and 11 boards, 3 blocks).
Curry’s ninth career triple double was not enough for the Warriors either, but his 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists were matched by weak odds (8/21 FG, 2/9 threesome). In general, the Warriors offense had some problems in the fourth quarter (26.1 percent FG). Klay Thompson came out of the field with 14 points at 5/13 in his second game of the season, Gary Payton II showed a strong two-way game (13, 5 rebounds and 3 steals).
This means that the Dubs have lost the top position in the west to the Suns, while Memphis is only 3.5 games behind the top in fourth place. “They have developed into one of the best teams in the league,” said Warriors coach Steve Kerr after the game.
The Warriors again had to do without Draymond Green, who had to pass due to calf problems. The grizzlies were still missing Steven Adams (corona protocol) and Dillon Brooks (ankle). As in previous games, the lack of the two nominal starters did not prevent Memphis from setting the tone from the start.
At first, this was primarily due to Morant, who had accumulated more points in the middle of the first quarter (15) than the entire Warriors team and with one Alley-Oop set an early highlight. In the second section it was the three shooters around Desmond Bane (11), Jones or Williams who gave the Grizzlies a significant advantage. Memphis settled down to 18 counters.
Warriors turn the game around – Morant and Co. strike back
Meanwhile, the Dubs Offense had hardly had any target water, not even Curry. The chef even managed two airballs from downtown in the first half, while Golden State only hit 5/15 threes as a team. In addition, the strong Grizzlies Defense had their hands apparently everywhere and forced 12 ball losses, which they in turn converted into 20 direct points. It was only when coach Kerr chain dog Payton II put on Morant that things went better for the guests. A corner three from Thompson with the shot clock buzzer shortened a few seconds before the half-time break to 51:59.
The Warriors also started the second half with the Payton tactic, which gave Morant little room to develop. On the other side of the court, Curry marked his first three of the evening, Golden State turned the game with a 20: 4 start. The reservists around Jones and Clarke gave Memphis new life, supported by more Warriors ball losses (17 in total), and the Grizzlies were back on it (90:87 for the Dubs after three quarters).
The game remained very exciting and competitive until the final phase. Thanks to another Jones threesome, Memphis went into crunchtime with a slight advantage, the point guard was hot. His next pull-up from distance brought the Grizzlies to +9 three and a half minutes before the end.
It was now Thompson who kept the Warriors within striking distance. Morant responded in the last minute after several misses with a strong drive, Curry failed on the opposite side of downtown. Then Morant attacked the zone again, he sank the layup and drew the foul – the 22-year-old made the “MVP” chants of the Grizzlies fans mit dem Clutch-And-One the victory perfect.
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