Steph Curry drops 38 points in 25 minutes in his return against the Memphis Grizzlies in Oakland.
First Quarter:
The Memphis Grizzlies started slow, and the Golden State Warriors took off. A bucket by Kevin Durant, Draymond Green and Steph Curry had the Grizzlies down 10-0 early in the first. The Grizzlies went on a 15-8 run shortly after.
Marc Gasol had 15 points with 4:22 remaining in the first quarter. After a slow start, the Grizzlies struck back and answered everything the Warriors had in the first quarter. The Grizzlies trimmed the lead down to two at the end of the first quarter. Kobi Simmons entered the game and had a quick 10 points off the bench.
KO-BI! KO-BI! KO-BI! pic.twitter.com/vtgpmjZlNm
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) December 31, 2017
Both teams started hot as the Grizzlies shooting 65.2 percent, and the Warriors were shooting 69.6 from the field at the end of the first.
High scoring affair after 1! Marc's leading us with 15 points. @JordanKobi with 10 points off the bench #MEMvGSW pic.twitter.com/nlqalPnUmz
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) December 31, 2017
Second Quarter:
The second quarter began with the Grizzlies taking the lead, oh, and Draymond Green was ejected with two quick technicals. Simmons continued his hot first quarter by dropping another 3 and dripping confidence.
mood pic.twitter.com/t9ED2ZnCbJ
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) December 31, 2017
Deyonta Davis continues to be a mixed bag, getting lost in defensive rotations and not understanding where to be on offense hurts. The Grizzlies fell victims to solid defense, but better offense.
Yes, the Grizzlies had a few times where they didn’t communicate on switches, but the Warriors are the best offense in the NBA for a reason. Curry, Thompson and Durant made contested shots at a high rate as usual. The Warriors led the Grizzlies at the half, 78-67.
Got some work to do at the half! #MEMvGSW pic.twitter.com/z2PNeYEnyo
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) December 31, 2017
First half stat lines:
M. Gasol: 19 points, three rebounds, 7/9 FG in 14 minutes
K. Simmons: 13 points, 5/6 FG, in 12 minutes
S. Curry: 21 points, three assists, 7/9 FG in 14 minutes
Third Quarter:
The Memphis Grizzlies started the second half playing back and forth with the Warriors. Gasol and Curry exchanged numerous 3-pointers, but neither team really clamped down defensively. The Grizzlies’ offense just isn’t as strong as Golden State’s attack. There’s not much to say about the third quarter for the Grizzlies, but Curry is back for the Warriors.
3 quarters of basketball down #MEMvGSW pic.twitter.com/D7PyVxsDvj
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) December 31, 2017
Fourth Quarter:
The fourth quarter began just like the first quarter started.
A lot of Warriors offense, but not much defense or offense from Memphis. As the lead grew, I questioned why guys like Ivan Rabb never saw the floor? Then, with two minutes left, the Grizzlies let Rabb loose, and I think they should hand him Davis’ minutes.
Rabb has shown me more since day one than Davis ever will. It’s time for Rabb to get those minutes. The Grizzlies ended up losing by 13, dropping to 11-25 on the season.
They never quit.#MEMvGSW pic.twitter.com/mTQd20a1xC
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) December 31, 2017
Final Stats:
https://twitter.com/memgrizz/status/947313260767801344
Next: Grizz: 5 mistakes of 2017
What is next?
The Memphis Grizzlies will travel to Sacramento tonight to take on the Kings tomorrow at 6:00 P.M. It’ll be the first time the Grizzlies have seen Zach Randolph and Vince Carter since their offseason moves. They will look to take one out of another back-back with a win tomorrow night in Sacramento.