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OAKLAND, Calif. – The Golden State Warriors have not had to use their third-quarter series very often this season. They managed to create a huge lead at halftime. But on Monday, they reminded us how devastating these dams can be.
After a first regular period, Golden State staged a third-quarter blitz against the Memphis Grizzlies en route to a 117-101 victory at Oracle Arena. Marc Gasol and Mike Conley of the All-Stars Grizzlies have only 17 points in total, although Gasol has almost scored a triple-double with eight points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. And this defensive effort was mostly without Draymond Green, who did not return in the second half after suffering a foot contusion early in the game.
Here are some takeaways from the game.
Slow and steady
The Grizzlies entered Monday's game with the Warriors playing at the second slowest pace in the NBA, and before match coach JB Bickerstaff stressed the importance of maintaining that pace in order to shoot. In the first half, they achieved their goal by pushing the ball selectively on the field but playing mainly a deliberate game, with lots of two-man games, dribbling and post-ups. They limited the Warriors to 58 points in the first half, a feat since Golden State entered the match with an average of 74 points in the first half in their last three games. The score was tied at the half and it seemed that the Grizzlies had executed their game plan very well. But then …
Same scenario, different players
With Green in the locker room and Memphis playing well, the Warriors embarked on a third-quarter assault, a 14-0 mark, a 14-0 run to build a 19-point lead from the fourth quarter. Of course, Kevin Durant and Steph Curry were very involved, but the big reservist Kevon Looney was an unsung hero of the race, getting offensive rebounds and ending up in the traffic several times. He finished the game with nine points and nine rebounds, making the bulk of his damage in the third quarter.
Just as it looked like the Grizzlies might begin to get closer, Alfonzo McKinnie buried a three-pointer angle pointer almost behind the basket, shattering Oracle.
He continued to thrill the crowd with stellar defensive games and a dissenting dunk in the fourth quarter, and he finished the game with 14 points on 2 of 3 three-shots, to go with three assists. Steve Kerr spoke of the energy that young players have brought to the version of the Warriors this season, which was exposed Monday night.
Klay Day
Well, he did not set an NBA record for the 3 points, but it was clear from the beginning of the match that Klay Thompson felt it. After the third quarter of the Warriors, Thompson took over with Curry and Durant on the bench, thus increasing in advance and turning the game into a certified eruption. Thompson finished with 11 points out of 21, for a total of 27 points, a high point in the game, including 3 points out of 7 to 3.
Grit N 'Grind in the playoffs?
You will not see Tony Allen or Zach Randolph on the field, but the Grizzlies look like a Western Conference playoff candidate. They do not have the offensive firepower needed to follow a team like the Warriors (they are not alone in this regard), but Conley and Gasol will lead them to many victories this season, provided they stay healthy. Bickerstaff called the duo a stabilizing force in a team that has many new roles and said Conley's leadership skills made his job much easier. Jaren Jackson Jr. is already contributing despite his relatively raw skills, and the cast of veterans is filled with role players. It is invaded by the west, but it would be foolish to count the Grizz.
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