Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) in the first half in Memphis on Thu Mar 9, 2023 (AP News photo)

Grizzlies Pound Golden State 131-110

By Barbara Mason

Thursday night the Golden State Warriors (34-33) took on the Memphis Grizzlies (39-26) in Game three of their most recent road trip in a continuing effort to figure out how to win on the road. It has been an ongoing nightmare and they have not been able to figure out jut what is going so terribly wrong. The just couldn’t figure it out again dropping their

The Grizzlies were without Ja Morant, out for at least six games. This could prove to be a golden opportunity for the Warriors to win a third game over the Grizzlies this season

The first quarter of this game was more of the same with Memphis all over the Warriors scoring 48 points their highest opening quarter of this season. They won the quarter 48-28. Again the Warriors trailed by double digits as they have done in every game on this road trip.

The Warriors made a move in the second quarter pulling to within four points 57-53 with just over four minutes left in the first half. The Grizzles swallowed up the Warriors bid thanks in part to some horrific defense from Golden State. Numerous sloppy turnovers did nothing for the Warrior’s cause. They had four in a row in the final minutes of the half giving Memphis a 20-6 run. Memphis led at the half 77-59.

Memphis had more rebounds, more shots from downtown and shot at 56% from the field compared to the Warriors 44.4%. The Grizzlies had outplayed the Warriors at every turn. Head Coach Steve Kerr was visibly upset with what he saw on the court from the Warriors defensively.

Golden State continued to hang around and with 4:19 left in the third quarter had pulled to within five points 89-84. Every time the Warriors challenged, Memphis answered continuing to extend their lead. With 4:15 left in the third the Grizzlies led 92-84. Despite winning the third quarter 33-22 the Warriors continued to trail 99-92 going into the fourth quarter.

With 6:39 left in the game the Grizzlies continued to surge leading 115-100. The final was 131-103 in favor of the Grizzlies. WIth the Western Conference so bunched up in second all the way through tenth place, every game is critical and Golden State is just not playing like it’s critical.

What does a coach do? This brand of defense is totally deserving of ranting and raving but to what end? It just seems that this lack of defense on the road is so deeply imbedded in the players heads that nothing short of surgery is going to fix it.

Stephen Curry finished with the high shooting for 29 points. Jordan Poole had 22 points with Draymond Green and Klay Thompson both in double digits. It was just the lack of defense that decided this game.

Saturday night the Warriors will take on the Milwaukee Bucks at Chase Center. They will be looking to get back on the winning track. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM.