The Warriors went into Memphis under the cloud of a perfect storm.
With Andrew Bogut and David Lee sidelined, just one day removed from back-to-back games, the Grizzlies were poised and ready to end the Warriors franchise-best winning streak.
The Warriors’ 16-game win streak and 10-game road win streak came to an end Tuesday night against the Memphis Grizzlies in one of the most-anticipated matchups of this early NBA season.
A 20-0 run from Memphis in the second quarter led by Vince Carter gave the Grizzlies a double-digit lead that the Warriors never managed to fully overcome.
Despite cutting the Memphis lead to single digits, turnovers, size and shot selection were problems down the stretch for Golden State.
A four-minute sequence in the fourth quarter saw the Warriors cut a 14-point Memphis lead to just two points with scoring from four different players. But Memphis regained their lead.
A bank shot with from Stephen Curry cut lead to 4 midway through the final frame, then on a Shaun Livingston drive, the lead was cut to two.
But Tayshaun Prince was left wide open for a corner three with 4:39 left to play, opening the Grizzlies lead back to five.
The following score came from Mike Conley on a driving layup. Warriors coach Steve Kerr and swingman Andre Iguodala contested that Conley travelled and in a heated moment were both charged with technical fouls.
With just 25 seconds left, Speights hit a jumper to bring the Warriors within three, and Golden State started playing the foul game.
After made free throws from Marc Gasol, Curry missed consecutive three’s on the other end and the Warriors streak died.
Golden State still holds the best record in the league at 21-3, just one game ahead of Memphis. The Warriors return home Thursday to take on a different kind of challenge against Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and the rest of the Oklahoma City Thunder who, after Golden State’s loss, hold the longest active winning streak in the league.
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Last modified December 17, 2014 8:36 pm
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