Tag: Memphis Grizzlies

Despite Slow Start Kings Finish Off Memphis 103-94; Sabonis grabs 26 rebounds most in a game for a career high

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) and Keegan Murray forward (13) with the Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama battle for the basketball at the FedEx Arena in Memphis on Mon Jan 29, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (27-18) had a horrendous start in Monday night’s game in Memphis. They did not take the lead once until the second half mid-way through the third quarter. They had 19 turnovers something that we don’t see from this squad very often. 

The Kings were able to pull this one off with improved play in the fourth quarter winning their fourth game in a row 103-94 to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies (18-29)

Sacramento had a terrible start in the first quarter trailing after the first 12 minutes 33-18. The Kings started to turn their game around in the second quarter. The biggest problem for Sacramento were the 12 turnovers. 

This Kings averages 13 turnovers in an entire game so they had a lot of trouble protecting the ball in the first half of this game. At the half the Kings trailed 50-47 so this game had become a one shot game. 

Sacramento had trailed by as much as 14 points in the first quarter and they had not led once in the first half. The good news for the Kings was the improved play in the later minutes of the second quarter. Domantas Sabonis had a terrific first half finishing with 12 points and 16 rebounds.

At 6:22 in the third quarter the Kings took their first lead of the game 64-62. Harrison Barnes hit his first three of the game to give them that lead and followed it up with a back-to-back three. After three quarters, the Kings led 75-71. 

They won the third quarter 28-21 and had really put the stops on the turnovers only committing one in the quarter. Sabonis continued to rack up those rebounds with 23 going into the fourth quarter.

The Grizzlies continued to hang in this game taking back the lead in the early minutes of the fourth quarter 78-77. Memphis was wearing a path to the free throw line. The Kings already had 17 fouls and they began to turn the ball over again in the fourth quarter with 18 mid-way threw the final quarter. 

The Kings were scoring most of their points in the paint struggling from downtown and with 7:03 left in the game the score was tied at 85. The Kings had a very poor start but a strong finish winning this game 103-94 for their fourth win in a row.  The Grizzlies pushed the Kings to their limits but Sacramento got it together in the final minutes of the game.

This was not the Kings finest hour but they played just well enough to win the game. Sabonis finished with 20 points and 26 rebounds. Fox had the high for the team with 23 points. It was a terrible start for the team with poor shooting, too many fouls and 19 turnovers but they were able to overcome all of it and come away with a win. That alone speaks to the strength and will-power of this team. 

Post game notes: The Kings started off the week on the road in Memphis taking on the Grizzlies Monday night. The Kings were coming off a couple of solid wins over the Golden State Warriors and last Saturday night they beat the Dallas Mavericks 120-115. The Grizzlies lost to the Pacers yesterday 116-110 and lost the second on back to back nights this time to the Kings.

Wednesday night the Kings will travel to Miami taking on the (24-23) Heat. Sacramento has a lot to clean up going into Miami looking for their fifth win in a row. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 4:30 PM.

Green returns but it’s not enough; Short-handed Grizzlies send Warriors down to defeat 116-107

Published on by rxsluggerLeave a comment

Golden State Warrior Draymond Green drives on the Memphis Grizzlies upon his return from his indefinite suspension at FedEx Arena in Memphis on Mon Jan 15, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

It was a very cold evening in Memphis on Martin Luther King Day. For the Golden State Warriors, it was a very strange game. The Warriors held the Memphis Grizzlies to 37% from the floor as they took 12 shots less than the Warriors, yet won the game 116-107.

The Warriors head coach, Steve Kerr, had to be shaking his head after his team’s performance Monday night in Memphis. The numbers show the Warriors committed too many fouls and too many turnovers. Memphis made 20 threes in 54 attempts.

The Warriors made ten in 31 tries. The referees called 25 fouls on the Warriors to give the Grizzlies 40 free throws. Memphis made 32. The Warriors went to Charity Stripe ten times and made nine. The Warriors could not overcome the 30-point advantage nor the 23-point difference from the free-throw line.

The Grizzlies scored 30 points off turnovers. Memphis’ defense kept the Warriors from attempting more three-point shots. The Warriors’ only statistical advantage was scoring in the point. 

Even with the Warrior miscues, the game was a nip-and-tuck affair. Neither team had a double-digit lead for the first three quarters. The Warriors led by two points at the end of the first halftime, 56-53.

The Grizzlies cut the lead to one, 86-85, at the end of the third period. The Warriors had their largest lead of the night, 86-79 in the third quarter. The Grizzlies scored the last six points to trail 86-85. 

The Warriors needed to stop fouling as well as turning the ball over. Memphis needed to stop the Warrior’s offense. We learned the answer: Memphis wanted the game more than the Warriors. The last lead the Warriors had came when Stephen Curry made a three to put the Warriors ahead 91-90.

The Grizzlies defense shackled Curry and Thompson. Memphis went ahead by 12 points,112-104. Memphis went on to win 116-107.

Game Notes: The Warriors were without Moses Moody, Gary Payton II, and Chris Paul. Draymond Green, in his first game back after serving a 12-game suspension, played 24 minutes, and his numbers were seven points, seven rebounds and four assists. The Grizzlies had four players unavailable. The biggest name on their list was Ja Morant, who was out with a shoulder injury for the year.

The Warriors are now 18-22. The Grizzlies improved to 15-25.

The Warriors had four players in double figures. Curry led the Warriors with 26 points, four rebounds, and eight assists. Jonathan Kuninga had a double-double with 20 points and eleven rebounds. For Kuminga, it was his 20th double-digit game in a row.

Dario Saric (13) and Andrew Wiggins(16) were the other Warriors with more than ten points. The Grizzlies had six players in double-figures. Vince Williams led Memphis with 24 points. Greg Jackson had 23. Davios Roddy 12, Jacob Gilyard (11), Santi Aldama (11), and Luke Kennard(11) were the players that led Memphis to the win.

The Warrior’s next game will be against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday evening at 5 pm.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Green back in tonight’s game in Memphis

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) knocks the ball out of the hands of the Golden State Warriors Jonathan Kuminga (left) at Fiserve Arena in Milwaukee on Sat Jan 13, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 Talk about the break down that the Warriors had in that fourth quarter in Milwaukee was it too much Giannis Antetokounmpo or the Warriors defense just couldn’t figure out how to stop the Milwaukee Bucks attack.

#2 The Warriors rested guard Stephen Curry for Saturday’s game in Milwaukee with Curry and Draymond Green out of the line up and the Bucks being one of the best teams in the NBA how much of a load was this on players like Jonathan Kumina, Klay Thompson and Brandin Podziemski?

#3 Green who was with the team and was serving an indefinite suspension returned on Monday night in Memphis. He’s missed 14 games and the Warriors have lost four of their last seven games. Green said it was he who is at fault for this current struggle. How much does Draymond Green play the role of the player who stirs the Warriors drink?

#4 Top scorers for the Bucks on Saturday Damion Lillard with 27 points and Khris Middleton 24 were big contributors scoring in second and third behind first place scorer Antetokounmpo who had 33.

#5 Warriors go back to the drawing board after their Saturday night loss in Milwaukee this time on Monday night the Warriors tip off against the Memphis Grizzlies who are 13th in the Western Conference and have lost six of their last ten games. The Grizzlies took a loss against the New York Knicks on Saturday night they have the home floor Monday can they beat back the Warriors on a Martin Luther King Birthday Holiday special tip off at 3:00pm PT.

Join Barbara for the Warriors podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings Demolish Grizzlies In Memphis 123-92

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0) dribbles on the Memphis Grizzlies guard Vince Williams Jr (5) in the second half at FedEx Forum in Memphis on Sun Dec 31, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (19-12) traveled to Memphis and dismantled the Memphis Grizzlies (10-22) 123-92 in as near a perfect game as you could get. They led from the start of the game to the finish. Off the bench, Malik Monk went off the rails shooting for 27 points which was the team high. De’Aaron Fox finished with 24 points and Domantas Sabonis had 21 rebounds.

Game recap: Sacramento got a nice start and the opening quarter was a real see-saw between the two teams trading leads. The Kings were looking to keep Memphis out of the paint which could prove to be one of the keys to this game. Sacramento won the opening quarter leading after one 34-29.

The Kings began to pour it on in the second quarter taking as much as a fourteen point lead. At the half Sacramento led 70-58. Monk, the Kings incredibly reliable bench player, finished the half with 17 points. 

Both Fox and Sabonis were shooting in double digits. Ja Morant, Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane all shot in double digits for Memphis in this highly competitive, fast paced game. Both teams had great ball protection each with only four turnovers. 

The Kings outshot the Grizzlies 59% to 45%. They also won the rebound battle with 28 to Memphis’ 18. Sacramento would have to pull out all the stops to keep the momentum on their side in the second half. With Morant back in the lineup this team is nothing to dismiss and the Kings were looking to control the rhythm and pace of the game in the second half.

The Kings kept the pressure on in the third quarter and after three quarters held a 101-79 lead. They were beating the Grizzlies at every turn offensively and defensively in an unrelenting effort. 

They were beating them from the field, from downtown and rebounding. The Kings had more turnovers in the game but it did not factor because of the dominant offensive effort from Sacramento.

The Kings were looking for an early Happy New Year. Sacramento was doing a great job on the glass and Monk continued his onslaught into the fourth quarter. With under three minutes left in the game this was a done deal. 

The Kings had led by 20 plus points throughout the final quarter and at 2:04 led this game 123-92 and that would be the final. Sacramento had won their 19th season game and the Kings had made a real statement loud and clear.

Post game notes: After fighting and clawing their way to a win in Atlanta Friday night, the Kings traveled to Memphis for a matchup with the Grizzlies. The Kings more than proved themselves in Atlanta trailing through 3 1/2 quarters before they even took a lead. 

They won with patience and perseverance in the 117-110 win. Saturday night they faced a far different Grizzlies team than the Memphis team that started the season. The Grizzlies have their ace Morant back on board, tried as hard as he can the Kings held Morant off with just 17 points and three other Grizzlies were in double figures as well but fell well short of catching the Kings.

It will be a happy new year for the Sacramento Kings after this game. They played a near perfect game. Not enough can be said for the game Monk put out taking some of the pressure off Fox. It will be a happy homecoming as Sacramento heads home to take on the Charlotte Hornets Tuesday night with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: 11 straight road loses and piling up as Warriors face Houston tonight

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. defends against Golden State Warriors center Draymond Green (23) during the first half at Memphis on Sat Mar 18, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 Barbara, 11 consecutive road loses for the Golden State Warriors (36-36) number 11 coming last Saturday night to the Memphis Grizzlies (43-27) 133-111 in Memphis. Now a 7-29 road record.

#2 On Friday night the Warriors were without Draymond Green against the Atlanta Hawks in the fourth quarter the Warriors were within one possession a couple times but couldn’t seal deal and lost that game by eight points 127-119. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said after that game “It’s mental” and “were competing, were playing well.”

#3 The game in Memphis Saturday had the Warriors Klay Thompson and Grizzlie Dillion Brooks trading words and gestures in the closing minutes in the fourth quarter. Thompson put up four fingers indicating four World Championships while sitting on the Warriors bench all the while the Brooks from the Grizzlies bench was yelling “you suck” to Thompson.

#4 One other note the Grizzlies Jaren Jackson led the Grizzlies on Saturday with 31 points with four blocks who was key in the Grizzlies win. Desmond Bane added 26 points, Brooks had 18 points. The Grizzlies came on to finish off the Warriors in the fourth quarter.

#5 The Warriors are in Houston to face the Rockets (18-52) tonight the Rockets have had their struggles this season but have won three straight before going into this game tonight they did snap the brief streak with a loss on Sunday. How do you see the match up between these two teams for a 5:00pm tip off at the Toyota Center in Houston.

Join Barbara Mason for the Warriors podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors Continue Losing Ways drop 29th road game to Memphis 133-119

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) defends against Golden State Warriors center Kevin Looney (5) during the first half at Memphis on Sat Mar 18, 2023 (AP News photo)

Warriors Continue Losing Ways drop 29th road game to Memphis 133-119

By Barbara Mason

The Golden State Warriors (36-36) continued on what has been a most disappointing road trip dropping the first two games, one against the Hawks and the first game of this recent trip to the Los Angeles Clippers. Tonight they faced another very tough opponent in the Memphis Grizzlies (43-27) and once again lost another road game 133-119.

Memphis is a power house sitting in second place in the Western Conference. These two teams do not like each other and have clashed all season. Golden State continues to struggle on the road and are facing some major challenges right now as the season begins to wind down.

Game recap: The Grizzlies jumped all over Golden State in the first quarter leading after the first twelve minutes 33-23. The second quarter was a close one with Memphis coming out on top 38-36 and leading at the half 71-59. The Grizzlies outscored the Warriors from beyond the arc 60% to Golden State’s 40.%.

Jonathan Kuminga kept the Warriors competitive in the first quarter hitting three shots from beyond the arc and finishing the half with 15 points.

The Warriors got within striking distance in the third quarter, and with 6:54 left in the quarter trailed by four points 80-76. Golden State worked hard to get oh so close only to let the Grizzlies off the hook. With 5:17 left on the clock in the quarter Memphis was back on top 90-76.

It’s just so hard to understand how so much can go wrong so quickly and then in a blink of an eye, get back within six points with 2:26 left in the quarter. The Warriors were showing a lot of fight but their play was just so inconsistent. Every time they got close, Memphis put the stops on Golden State.

After three quarters, the Warriors had cut the Grizzlies lead to four points 104-100. Jonathan Kuminga was having a terrific game with 24 points and 7 rebounds through three quarters.

The Warriors got close at times in this game but could not push it over the top. The Grizzlies handing the Warriors their third loss on this road trip. The struggles for Golden State continue as the team is now 36-36 and hanging by their fingernails onto a playoff spot tied for sixth with the Mavericks.

Jonathan Kuminga finished with 24 points, the high tonight. Also off the bench, Jordan Poole had 21 points. It was a slow night for Stephen Curry with 16 points and Klay Thompson with 14.

Monday night the Warriors will take on the Rockets in Houston. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM.

Grizzlies Pound Golden State 131-110

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

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.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Warriors in Memphis tonight; Golden State trying to snap two game loss streak

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots in front of Golden State Warriors forward JaMychal Green, center, and forward Patrick Baldwin Jr. (7) in the first half in Memphis on Tue Mar 7, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Jerry F:

#1  Unfortunately for Golden State it was more of the same and they trailed after the first 12 minutes 40-30 and couldn’t hold on in the end losing to the Thunder 137-128.

#2 The Warriors began to turn things around in the second quarter and when all was said and done had shot ten three’s. They still trailed at the half but it was a manageable 68-64.

#3 Golden State took a slim lead in the third quarter as this game remained very tight mid-way through the quarter 83-82 in favor of OKC. The Thunder were beasts from downtown with 14 shots made and five minutes left in the quarter. 

#4 The Warriors needed stops and they needed to make shots. It just didn’t happen and the Thunder rode comfortably across the finish line.

#5 Golden State has one more game left on this short road trip against the Memphis Grizzlies Thursday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30.

Join Jerry for Warriors podcasts each Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors Get Past Rival Grizzlies 122-120

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Golden State Warriors power forward Andrew Wiggins (22) looks for someone to pass to against the Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Wed Jan 25, 2023 (USA Today photo)

Warriors Get Past Rival Grizzlies 122-120

By Barbara Mason

Wednesday night the Golden State Warriors (24-24) took on the Memphis Grizzlies (31-17). Two teams with two differing styles: the Warriors leaning on outside shooting and the Grizzlies excellent play from inside. Ja Morant re-joined Memphis and the Warriors found a way to clog up the paint in this game to contain him as Golden State came up a winner by a bucket 122-120 at the Chase Center in San Francisco.

The Grizzlies had a couple of scores to settle, one back on Christmas Day and the other in last year’s playoffs. This was without a doubt a highly physical game. The Grizzlies came in as the number one defensive team in the league and Golden State had to contend with that.

Game Recap: The first quarter got underway and 59 seconds into the game Stephen Curry already had two personal fouls. Early turnovers and early fouls was not the way the Warriors wanted to start this game. Despite five turnovers and eight personals, Golden State had a 24-22 lead after the first 12 minutes.

The Warriors trailed by a single point at halftime 54-53. That was a triumph in itself considering the fact that Golden State had 14 turnovers. It was a choppy first half that lacked rhythm. The entire starting roster had two personal fouls each and so trailing by a single point was fortunate.

The Grizzlies, an excellent second half team, won the third quarter 42-37 leading 96-90.

With three minutes left in the game the Warriors made a push trailing by two points 113-111. Golden State tied the game at 113 with 2:06 left on the clock.

The Warriors would have to fight for this game when Curry was ejected in a tragic turn of events. It came down to the final thirty seconds with Golden State leading 117-116. Klay Thompson gave the Warriors the lead 120-118 with 14.1 seconds left. With 2.6 Jordan Poole dropped a lay-in to win the game by two points.

This was a hard fought win for the Warriors. Curry finished with 34 points and Thompson had a great game with 24. Poole who had the game winner finished with 21 points. This game was downright ugly at times with 22 turnovers but Golden State hung in to the end and pulled this one out.

Friday night the Warriors will play the Toronto Raptors at Chase. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM

Lyles lead Kings with 24 pts in 133-100 win over Memphis

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr., left, and Desmond Bane, second from left, guard against Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox, second from right, during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Mon Jan 23, 2023 (AP News phot)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Monday night. The Kings last played Saturday in Golden 1 Center as they competed against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Kings finished disappointingly on Saturday, losing to the undermanned 76ers by two points. On Monday, the Kings welcomed the Memphis Grizzlies to town.

The Grizzlies had been hot as of late until losing their last two games. On Monday, stars Ja Morant and Steven Adams were out of the ballgame. The Kings defeated the Grizzlies 133-100 at Golden 1 Center.

In the first quarter, the Kings put on a show! The Kings opened the game red hot from behind the arc. Harrison Barnes and Keegan Murray both started the hot shooting starting 5/5 and 3/3, respectively, from three-point land.

The Kings, all in all, would score a massive 47 points to take the commanding lead early. The Grizzlies were able to score 33 points in the first. The Kings took a 47-33 lead into the second quarter.

Both teams fought in the second quarter, and the score drew closer. However, the Kings would retain the lead. Granted, with a smaller margin. The Kings would only score 19 points in the second quarter as the offense went dormant. On the other hand, the Grizzlies scored 28 in the quarter to pull within five points of the Kings.

The score going into halftime was 66-61, with the Kings in the lead. Harrison Barnes led the way for the Kings scoring 15 points. Tyus Jones led the way for the Grizzlies with 10 points.

In the third quarter, the Kings expanded the lead a bit. The Kings offense got back on track and were able to score 34 points in the quarter. On the other end of the floor, the Grizzlies were able to score 29 points.

The Kings were able to open back up the lead to double digits as they took the 100-90 lead into the final quarter. The Kings had been mistake-prone all night, and it would be paramount to limit the turnovers and rebound in the final quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings roared back! On the Golden 1 Center before the game, a large “Roar with us” sign illuminated the stadium; roaring is exactly what Kings fans did in the final quarter. The Kings dominated in the fourth quarter outscoring Memphis 33-10.

It was an incredible performance from the Kings on both ends of the floor. The Kings did what they needed to do against a Memphis team missing Ja Morrant and Steven Adams. Six Kings players finished the game in double figures as Trey Lyles led the way with 24 points. The Grizzlies were led by Desmond Bane, who scored 21 points. The Kings improved to 27-19 on the season.

Up Next: The Kings stay home to take on the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday at 7 PM PST.