Memphis Grizzlies vs Golden State Warriors Match Player Stats On Dec 20, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Dec 21, 2017

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Golden State Warriors limited the Memphis Grizzlies to 10 field goals in the second half Wednesday night, allowing the defending NBA champs to gradually pull away for a hard-earned, 97-84 victory, their 10th win in a row.

Klay Thompson had a game-high 29 points and Kevin Durant added 22 for the Warriors, but the duo combined for nine points in the second half, when Golden State's defense dominated and held the Grizzlies to 33 points.

Memphis, which has lost 16 of its past 18 games, led by as many as 10 points in the first quarter and shot 18-for-40 in the first half.

However, the Grizzlies went 3 for 16 in a 14-point third quarter and 7 for 28 in the fourth, dropping them to 2-14 since Mike Conley was shelved with an Achilles injury Nov. 15.

Memphis (9-22) shot 33.3 percent from the floor, including 22.7 percent in the second half.

The Warriors, who lead the NBA in blocked shots, hindered the Grizzlies' cause with eight blocks.

Playing its first of seven straight at home, Golden State didn't take full advantage of the Grizzlies' shooting woes. While the Warriors outrebounded Memphis 44-41, they turned one of their 30 defensive rebounds and none of the Grizzlies' 16 turnovers into fastbreak points, recording a total of two.

Omri Casspi chipped in with 12 points for the Warriors, who improved to 6-0 since Stephen Curry was sidelined earlier this month because of a sprained ankle.

The Warriors (25-6) shot 45.9 percent from the field but saw a streak of 12 consecutive games with 100 or more points snapped.

Marc Gasol overcame 5-for-15 shooting to score a team-high 21 points for the Grizzlies, who were tipping off a stretch of seven of eight on the road.

Memphis beat Warriors 111-101 at home in the first week of season.

Tyreke Evans, Jarell Martin and Ben McLemore added 10 points apiece for Memphis, which was limited to 96 or fewer points for a fifth consecutive game.

Both teams held 10-point leads in a first half that ended with the Warriors on top 56-51 despite going the first 24 minutes without a fastbreak point.

Thompson had 17 points in the second period, when the Warriors used an 11-4 burst late in the quarter to build their advantage to 52-42.

NOTES: The Grizzlies return to Oakland for a rematch against the Warriors on Dec. 30. ... Golden State's 10-game winning streak is the NBA's fourth of 10 or more games this season. Boston (16), Houston (14) and Cleveland (13) had longer runs. ... The Warriors began the night leading the NBA in fastbreak points with 22.0 per game. ... Warriors coach Steve Kerr reported before the game that injured PF Draymond Green (sore right shoulder) would participate in a full-contact scrimmage Thursday, which, barring an incident, would open the door for him to return Friday night against the Los Angeles Lakers.