Ja Morant returns, leads Memphis Grizzlies over the GoldenState Warriors 110-102
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT PhilBoxing.com Wed, 11 Dec 2019
San Francisco, California (December 9, 2019) -- Rookie guard Ja Morant produced 26 points (13 of those in the fourth quarter) leading the Memphis Grizzlies (7-16) over the Golden State Warriors (5-20) on Jewish Heritage Night Monday at the Chase Center. The #2 draft pick had seven assists, two rebounds and a steal helping the Grizzlies win in 2 of their last 11 games.
Morant punctuated his performance with a spectacular, chin-up dunk over 3 Warrior defenders with 1:11 left in the fourth quarter dashing Golden State’s last hurrah at 106-100 and consequently winning the battle of the rookies over (#2 pick) Warrior Eric Paschall who produced 5 points shooting 2/10 from the field.
The Warriors struggled throughout the night especially beyond the arc---allowing the Grizzlies to score almost at will while missing their own tries. In the first quarter, all 5 Memphis players have dropped long range three-pointers, something the crowd are used to from the injured or missing Warriors Steph Curry (G), Klay Thompson (G), Alen Smailagic (F) and Damion Lee (G).
Both teams poured it on all night to the delight of the near capacity crowd, but it was Golden State that looked anemic and asynchronous in both offense (shooting 38% from the field) and defense (allowing 51.3% FG, 39.5% three-pointers).
The SF Bay Area Jewish community was in full force complete with a pre-game tailgate party featuring great kosher food, music, and Chanukah crafts courtesy of Chabad of SF and PJ Library Bay Area.
Below, please enjoy the Spar-Spangled Banner performed by the Brandeis School of San Francisco.
Golden State shot 35/91 from the field (38.5%), shot 11/25 beyond the arc (44%) and made 21/25 FT’s (84%). Draymond Green made 16 points, 5 assists and 3 blocks. D'Angelo Russell and Alec Burks each scored 18 for the Warriors, but Russell shot just 6 of 22. Center Willie Cauley-Stein elicited some oohs and ahhs with his twin-fisted dunks.
Memphis shot 41/80 from the floor (51.3%), shot 15/38 beyond the arc (39.5%) and made 12/16 FT’s (75%). Jonas Valanciunas had 13 points and 10 rebounds, Dillon Brooks scored 17 points and Jaren Jackson Jr. had 16 for the Grizzlies.
"There's a lot of trust with the ball in his hands to make the right play," Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins told NBA.com and added, "He had a couple assists late that we needed. Big moments for him, and it's awesome to see so early in his career."
"I honestly think we just (bleeped) around with the game," forward Draymond Green said. "We're not good enough to do that. Our transition defense was bad. We played horrible the entire game."
Up next:
• Grizzlies travel to Phoenix on Wednesday to conclude their four-game road trip.
• Warriors host the New York Knicks on Wednesday, the only team in the NBA with a worse record than Golden State.
Flanking me are my sons (L-R) USAF Airman First Class Louis Vincent Rivera and Grant Samuel Rivera at the historic John’s Grill est. 1908 (home of the Maltese Falcon Room, established 1977 in honor of author Dashiell Hammett). My son Grant reminded me it has been 22 years since he, GramPa Hermie and I first (and last) saw a Warriors game together.
The old Thunder mascot (1997-2008) made popular by the late Sadiki Fuller was fondly remembered.
