Warriors vs. Grizzlies score, highlights: Golden State's trademark run shows

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Golden State Warriors have not had to use their trademark – they've been doing just fine building huge leads by halftime – but on Monday they just reminded us how devastating those barrages can be.

After an even first half, Golden State blitzed the Memphis Grizzlies in the third quarter en route to a 117-101 win at Oracle Arena. The Warriors held All-Stars Grizzlies Marc Gasol and Mike Conley to just 17 combined points, though Gasol had almost a triple-double with eight points, 10 rebounds and nine badists. And that defensive effort was mostly without Draymond Green, who did not return for the second half after suffering a contusion early in the game.

Here are some takeaways from the game.

Slow and steady

The Grizzlies came into Monday's matchup with the Warriors playing the second-slowest pace in the NBA, and before the game coach JB Bickerstaff stressed the importance of maintaining pace if they were going to have a shot. In the first half, they play their goal, selectively pushing the ball short game, mostly playing a game, with a lot of the two-man game, dribbling hand-offs and post-ups. They held the Warriors to 58 first-half points, an accomplishment given Golden State came into the game averaging 74 points in the first half over their past three games. The score was tied to the half, and it looked like the Grizzlies had their game plan pretty well. But then …

Same script, different players

With Green in the locker room and Memphis, the Warriors went on one of their third-quarter badault, a 14-0 run to build a 19-point lead going into the fourth quarter. Of course Kevin Durant and Steph Curry were tough involved, but they won the day. He finished the game with nine points and nine rebounds, doing most of his damage in the third quarter.

Alfonzo McKinnie, who was looking at the Grizzlies, was forced to corner 3-pointer from almost behind the basket, causing Oracle to erupt.

He continues thrilling the crowd with stellar defensive plays and a breakaway dunk in the fourth quarter, and he finished the game with 14 points on 2 of 3 3-pointers, to go along with three badists. Steve Kerr has talked about the energy of the warriors, and it was on display Monday night.

Klay day

Well, he did not set an NBA record for 3-pointers, but it was clear from the start of the game that Klay Thompson was feeling it. After the Warriors' third-quarter run, Thompson took over with Curry and Durant on the bench, expanding the lead and turning the game into a certified blowout. Thompson finished with a game-high 27 points on 11-of-21 shooting from the field, including 3-for-7 from 3-point range.

Grit N 'Grind back in the playoffs?

You will not see Tony Allen or Zach Randolph on the short, but the Grizzlies look the part of a Western Conference playoff contender. They lack the offensive firepower to keep up the warriors (they're not alone in this look), but Conley and Gasol will help them stay healthy. Bickerstaff called the duo a steadying force on a team, and said Conley's leadership skills make his job much easier. Jaren Jackson Jr. is already contributing to a relatively high skill set, and the veteran supporting is full of role players. It's crowded out West, but it would be foolish to count the Grizz out.