With the game on the verge of getting away from the Warriors, Stephen Curry took things over and led the Dubs to a 100-84 victory on Wednesday night in Memphis.
Stephen Curry sure has that timing thing down. With the game on the verge of getting away from the Warriors, the reigning MVP took things over and led the Dubs to a 100-84 victory on Wednesday night in Memphis.
GAME LEADERS
The Warriors guard had 14 points over the final 3:08 of the third period, increasing what was a one-point lead into double digits. Not one to lack flash, Curry turned the momentum of the game around with an off-balance, one-handed 3-pointer with 2:26 left in the period. A few minutes later, he pulled up and knocked down a deep trey in transition as time expired in the quarter, setting the Warriors up for their ninth straight win to open the season.
At 9-0, the Warriors match their best start to a season in franchise history, and Curry’s sudden outburst was a key ingredient in getting there. The Warriors, who previously had a 15-point lead in the first half, fell victim to what has become all too common over the years in the Grindhouse, sloppy play and a super slow pace caused by a seemingly non-stop parade of fouls. Zach Randolph knocked down a pair of free throws, two of his 12 points in the period, to bring the Grizzlies within one at 57-56, but then Curry took over.
The same player who knocked down a 70-foot heave in last May’s playoff series-clinching win in Memphis again was the source of heartache for the Grizzlies. Curry scored 17 of his game-high 28 points in the game-changing third quarter, and he got plenty of splashing support from Andre Iguodala. The versatile veteran provided some much-needed scoring off the bench, connecting on four of his five 3-point attempts during a 20-point night. Harrison Barnes added 19 points on 7-for-11 shooting and was a game-best +24 during his time on the floor.
The Warriors held the Grizzlies to 34.3 percent shooting for the game, and they’ll look to bring that defensive effort with them as they head to Minnesota for the back end of a back-to-back on Thursday.