Feb 8, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) drives to the basket against Golden State Warriors power forward Andris Biedrins (15) during the game at the FedEx Forum. Memphis Grizzlies defeat the Golden State Warriors 99-93. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden–USA TODAY Sports
The Memphis Grizzlies had lost 2 straight games coming into Friday night’s game against the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors had also lost 2 straight games. In fact both teams had been passed in the standings by the red hot Denver Nuggets.
One thing was certain though, Memphis had beaten Golden State 8 straight times overall and 7 straight times in Memphis. The Warriors looked to end both both streaks Friday night.
Golden St tied it up at 2 very early. However, the Grizzlies then went on a 10-2 run and would not trail in the first quarter. The Warriors got within 5 points a couple of times at 18-13 and 20-15, but Memphis would expand the lead to 26-15 with 2:19 left in the quarter. The Grizzlies would hold on for the 32-24 lead at the end of the first.
David Lee made two free throws early in the second to pull the Warriors within 6 points. However, Memphis then went on an 8-0 run to go up 40-26. The Warriors would never get closer than 5 points, but the Grizzlies would not lead by more than that for the rest of the quarter. The Grizzlies would take a 63-56 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Grizzlies would go ice cold in the third quarter. They only scored 4 points for the first 6 minutes of the quarter. The Warriors would take their first lead of the game at 67-65 with 7:30 left in the third. The Warriors weren’t shooting much better and never led by more than 2 points in the quarter. The Grizzlies would take a 77-76 lead into the fourth.
In the fourth the two teams traded the lead until two straight Stephen Curry 3 pointers gave the Warriors an 86-83 lead with 8:10 left. The Grizzlies then went on a 9-0 run over the next 4 minutes and 40 seconds. The Grizzlies would never trail again. Mmephis would lead by 8 points at 96-88 and 98-90. Curry made a 13 footer with 29 seconds left and was fouled. He went to the line and completed the 3 point play to make it 98-93. Neither team would score again until guard Jerryd Bayless made one of two free throws to make it 99-93 Grizzlies. with 13 seconds left. That would be the final.
The Grizzlies improved to 31-18 and the Warriors dropped to 30-20. Memphis also gained ground on the San Antonio Spurs in the Southwest Division as the Spurs lost at the Detroit Pistons 119-109 Friday night. However, the Grizzlies are still 7 games behind them.
The Warriors shot 48% from the field, including 6/17 from 3 point range. Golden State made 15 of 20 free throws. The Warriors had 34 rebounds, 18 assists, 6 steals, 3 blocks, and 15 turnovers. Golden State had 19 fast break points and 36 points in the paint.
Although Curry and All-Star forward David Lee had monster games tonight, the problem for the Warriors was no one else did much. Curry had 32 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals. He shot 50% from the field and made 4 of 9 3 pointers. Lee had 26 points, 6 rebounds and a steal. He made 10 of his 16 shots from the field. Guard Klay Thompson had 9 points, and center Andrew Bogut had 7 points. No other Warrior had more than 6 points. The bench accounted for only 13 points.
Memphis shot 46.2% from the field including 8/20 from 3 point range. The Grizzlies made 19 of 23 free throws. The Grizzlies had 43 rebounds, 26 assists, 5 steals, 5 blocks, and 13 turnovers. Memphis had 11 fast break points and 40 points in the paint.
Center Marc Gasol had 20 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, and a steal. Guard Tony Allen had a season high 17 points, along with 4 rebounds and 2 assists. All-star forward Zach Randolph had 16 points, 12 rebounds, and a block, a steal, and an assist. Guard Jerryd Bayless added 14 points, and forward Austin Daye added 12 points, both off the bench. Each made 3 pointers in the game, and the rest of the team only had 2 combined.
Well, even though the Grizzlies couldn’t hit anything in the second half, they still hung on for the hard fought win. The Warriors haven’t beaten the Grizzlies since November of 2010, and haven’t won in Memphis since 2008. The Grizzlies made sure those streaks continued. The two teams will not meet again this season, unless they meet in the playoffs somehow. Up next for Memphis is a home game Sunday against the Minnesota Timberwolves.