Christmas in San Francisco: Warriors humble Grizzlies, 123-109
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT PhilBoxing.com Mon, 26 Dec 2022
The Grizzlies were out for blood, their play-offs debacle last season still fresh in their hearts and minds; Dillon Brooks led the chirping with Ja Morant concurring as they pumped themselves the whole week prior.
Golden State was unfazed by the Grizzlies who were tied for the best record in the Western Conference and later reminded everyone they are the reigning and defending champions, beating the upstart Grizzlies, 123-109, on Christmas Day.
Coming off another horrible (1-5) road trip, the Warriors were the hungrier team as they served up an old fashioned season’s beating with a commensurate slice of humble pie.
Reminiscent of their rough and tumble play-off meeting last season, tonight’s tussle featured similar chirping, trash talking, physical debates, including 7 technical fouls from all angles, with the Warriors prevailing thanks to great plays from the starting five and bench players.
Golden State outperformed the best rebounding team, 51-44, on and off the glass, kept competitive in free-throws despite technicals from Draymond Green, coach Steve Kerr, Jordan Poole and Jonathan Kuminga.
Jordan Poole led the charge with 32 points, including 3 treys, before being ejected midway in the fourth quarter.
Poole prevailed over his guard Dillon Brooks as they battled all night by slipping, sliding and sinking 3 successive treys with Steph Curry coaching him from the sideline.
As a team, Golden State made 43-of-91 baskets (47.3% FG) and 18-of-91 treys (47.3% 3-PT). They out hustled Memphis on and off the boards, 51–44, dominating the defensive end , 42-35. The assist leaders GSW out-dished Memphis, 31-19. Golden State led by as much as 20 points.
Klay Thompson was solid with 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists. Ty Jerome rattled off 14, Anthony Lamb dropped 11, Moses Moody did 10, Jonathan Kuminga sank 7 points, and even the scoreless James Wiseman had 5 rebounds that changed the complexion of the game at key spurts by the Grizzlies.
Draymond Green was cold offensively with 3 points, but dished 13 assists and rebounded 13 times. An emphatic block put a driving Ja Morant on the floor.
As a team, by contrast, Memphis made a run for it, sinking 39-of-94 baskets (41.5% FG) and an anemic 9-of-39 treys (23.1% 3-PT). They did get the upper hand close-range, outpointing Golden State, 50-26, in the paint. Their collective efforts were not enough, however, to overcome their surging host.
Ja Morant had a hot hand dropping 36 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists, Dillon Brooks added 13, Jackson dropped 11 as did D. Bane, B. Clarke, S. Aldama for 9 points each. Off the bench, T.Jones had 13.
It is too early to write off the Golden State Warriors at this juncture.
Playing without leaders Steph Curry (shoulder) and Andrew Wiggins (adductor muscle), the fired-up Warriors did not disappoint the 18,064 in attendance.
Upcoming:
Golden State Warriors (16-18): Host Utah Jazz Wednesday
Memphis Grizzlies (20-12): Host the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night
Note of Appreciation:
Photos, stats and video are courtesy of the NBA and Golden State Warriors organization and brought to you by PhilBoxing.com.
