Dominant fourth quarter lifts Grizzlies
The intensity was everywhere on the floor of Fedexforum in the latest clash between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Golden State Warriors. Dillon Brooks of the Grizzlies galloped after 3-pointers, taunting Warriors stars Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.
Warriors guard Jordan Poole made a corner 3-pointer over former prep school teammate Jaren Jackson Jr. and let him hear about it. Jackson simply nodded his head, as if he knew he would get his chances to respond.
Jackson and Poole met up again with 4:34 left in the fourth quarter when Poole drove to the basket and launched his shoulder in Jackson's chest, causing an offensive foul. Jackson responded by scoring on the next possession, and the Grizzlies' lead had grew to 20 points.
After leading by four points through three quarters, the Grizzlies put together a dominant fourth quarter to defeat the Warriors 133-119 on Saturday night.
Jackson led the Grizzlies with 31 points on 12-for-22 shooting. Desmond Bane added 26 points, and Brooks scored 18 points on 7-for-10 shooting.
The Grizzlies (43-27) are now an Nba-leading 29-5 at home. The Warriors (36-36) have lost 11 straight games on the road.
Here are some takeaways from the game.
Second night? No problem
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said that the Grizzlies wouldn't have minutes limitations on Saturday after three starters played more than 40 minutes on Friday. The Grizzlies looked surprisingly fresh with a hot offensive start and a lot of energy. Luke Kennard knocked down four first-half 3-pointers, and five other teammates helped combine for a 12-for-19 3-point shooting first half.
The energy carried over into the second half and Memphis finished the game strong.
Dillon Brooks' intensity
Brooks was in prime form against the Warriors. He followed Curry around the court like a shadow. When Curry would talk to the referees about Brooks' defense against him, Brooks would enter the conversation by letting the referees know that Curry is pushing off. After each big shot that Brooks made, he would let the Warriors know about it.
Antics aside, Brooks had a strong defensive performance against Curry. He limited Curry's ability to get shots off. When the Warriors star did, Brooks was
heavily contesting. Curry finished 5for-15 and scored 16 points.
Free-throw disparity
Jenkins had to carefully maneuver through the third quarter as key players started to rack up fouls. Brooks ended the quarter with four fouls, Jackson had three, John Konchar four and Kennard three. The Warriors shot 19 free-throws
in the third quarter while Memphis had 14 free-throw attempts through three quarters. The Grizzlies weathered the storm enough to play defense aggressively in the fourth quarter.
Memphis held Curry and Thompson to 5-for-14 shooting on 3-pointers.
What's next
The Grizzlies are home for their next
three games, starting Monday (7 p.m., Bally Sports Southeast, NBA TV) against the Dallas Mavericks. Kyrie Irving has returned to the Mavs lineup, so he should make his debut against the Grizzlies in a Dallas uniform after missing the last two meetings.
Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant is eligible to return on Monday after serving his eight-game suspension, but it is unlikely that he will play.