The Memphis Grizzlies are now winners of 11 of their last 13 games after last night's bludgeoning defeat of the Golden State Warriors 144-93. The 51-point defeat is the NBA's largest margin of victory this season, passing the 45-point victory the Grizzlies had over the Portland Trail Blazers on November 10th.
The 144 points scored by the Grizzlies represents a tie for the second-highest by an NBA team this season behind the New York Knicks' 145 points scored against the Denver Nuggets on November 25th. This game was also the third time the Grizzlies scored 140+ points this season, breaking a franchise record for most 140+ games in a season.
The main storyline coming into this game was Grizzlies center Zach Edey returning to the starting lineup after coming off the bench in his six previously played games. Also, a certain Warriors player had some words for Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins and Zach Edey after their last matchup on November 15th.
Draymond Green called Jenkins and Edey soft
The Grizzlies are up by 31 at halftime.
— Chris Vernon (@ChrisVernonShow) December 20, 2024
Draymond Green has 0 pts, 0 rebs, 0 ast, 2 turnovers, and is -27 with 4 fouls. Podcasting can be a dangerous business. pic.twitter.com/VQq13Dehcn
Following the Warriors' 123-118 victory over the Grizzlies at home Taylor Jenkins called out Draymond Green for what was perceived to be a dirty foul on Zach Edey. The play was called a transition take foul but wasn't reviewed for a possible flagrant foul. Edey also said "It wasn't a basketball play" after the game.
Draymond Green's response on his subsequent podcast episode stirred the pot some more with his soft comments for both Jenkins and Edey. Taylor Jenkins' took the high road to Draymond Green's podcast rant, and before last night's game, he said, "I'm so excited for December 19th," to the question about the "code" in their last matchup.
Taylor Jenkins was asked about how he felt there’s a “code” and Draymond Green’s foul on Zach Edey should’ve been reviewed last time they played — it ended up being upgraded to flagrant 1 — and if he thinks Draymond crosses line, he replied: “I’m so excited for December 19th.”
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) December 19, 2024
What followed was a focused and rested Grizzlies team that began the game on an 8-0 run and never looked back as they led by as many as 57 points and made a franchise record 27 threes on their way to the 51-point victory. Draymond Green struggled along with his superstar teammate Stephen Curry as they combined for two points on 0-11 shooting.
Newly acquired Warriors guard Dennis Schroder, who was a part of the controversy against the Grizzlies while he was with the Brooklyn Nets in their matchup last Friday, scored five points on 2-12 shooting in his first game in a Warriors uniform.
The game's defining play consisted of Ja Morant blocking a Draymond Green shot from behind followed by a Green foul on Zach Edey that led to both players coming face-to-face with the Grizzlies nursing a 30-point lead right before halftime.
THIS JA MORANT BLOCK ON DRAYMOND 🔥 pic.twitter.com/cQH2qPgEZk
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 20, 2024
The fireworks in the battles between these two teams never disappoint, and last night just added another chapter to one of the NBA's biggest rivalries. Have your calendar circled for the next matchup between these teams on January 4, 2025, in San Francisco.