By JANIE McCAULEY AP Sports activities Author
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Golden State Warriors acquired the halftime message about taking management of the third quarter and making common defensive stops, they usually wasted no time stealing the momentum as soon as once more on the ground.
They break up the ball and took care of them.
Stephen Curry reached 300 3-pointers for an NBA-record fifth season and scored 14 factors on 4 3s, one in every of seven gamers in double figures because the Warriors beat the Memphis Grizzlies 137-116 on Wednesday evening.
“He’ll do it once more subsequent yr.” I am not stunned, “mentioned the staff Chris Paul. “It is simple for him, he takes the life out of the ball, takes care of his physique.”
Jonathan Kamanga scored 26 factors, Andrew Wiggins added 22 and 10 rebounds and Klay Thompson had 23 factors off the bench. Paul completed with a season-best 14 assists — tied for the second-most by a reserve this season — within the staff’s thirtieth recreation with not less than 30 assists.
“It was a enjoyable recreation to look at,” coach Steve Kerr mentioned, calling Paul’s passing “a clinic” because the staff completed with a season-high 43 assists with simply six turnovers.
Paul mentioned he has been lucky to play basketball since he was 4 years previous and have some nice coaches. He has a knack for locating the nice and cozy hand or the correct look.
“I have been enjoying just a few video games, however significantly I watch this recreation all day,” Paul mentioned. “I do know this recreation just like the again of my hand.”
JJ Jackson II scored 35 factors and Jaren Jackson Jr. had 28 for a Memphis staff that misplaced 121-111 in extra time at Sacramento on Monday and has now received 4 straight and 7 of six. Santi Aldama scored 15 of his 27 factors within the second quarter and had 21 at halftime for the Grizzlies.
His second straight 3-pointer with 2:30 left earlier than halftime pulled Memphis inside 58-56. A pair of free throws by Jaren Jackson Jr. tied it on the 2:07 mark earlier than Golden State scored 10 unanswered factors to finish the half for a 68-58 lead. The Warriors opened the third with a 12-0 burst.
In line with the Elias Sports activities Bureau, the final time the Warriors had a run of 22-0 or extra was 24-0 within the third quarter at Houston on Could 1, 2021.
Issues acquired testy with the 2022 playoff dates between the 2 groups heating up. After Moses Moody’s 3-pointer with 6:39 left within the second quarter put Golden State forward 49-47, Memphis referred to as a timeout and Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins approached an official to talk. Draymond Inexperienced, who had related with Aldama below the Grizzlies basket on the earlier play, tried to inbound and Desmond Bean arrived to cease him. They every acquired a technical then shook arms as soon as issues calmed down.
Jenkins collapsed through the fracas however Kerr mentioned they spoke later and he was positive.
“Now we have a historical past with this staff and it is at all times very aggressive,” Kerr mentioned. “They’re powerful. Once we play them there may be normally some sort of mess.
Kamanga made 5 of his first six photographs to attain 11 first-quarter factors and was 12-of-17 from the ground total, whereas Curry hit his first three photographs and was 5-for-9.
Inexperienced, questionable coming into the sport with decrease again tightness, began and had 10 factors, 12 rebounds and 7 assists.
The Warriors dropped their house report to 18-18 after a 119-112 loss on the Chase Heart on Monday evening. They’ve received 4 straight and 10 of 12 at house in opposition to Memphis, which went 7 for 3 for 17 within the opening quarter and completed forty ninth of 18 deep.
Kamanga scored in double figures for the eighth straight recreation and forty sixth within the final 48. It was his ninth 20-point efficiency up to now 12 video games and twenty second total.
Warriors rookie Brandon Podzemski notched his NBA-leading thirty fifth sack.