© Justin Ford | 2019 Nov 19
Even if you’re hunting for the first overall pick in the NBA Draft, it’s never good for a young team to lose double-digit games in a row. It’s very possible that would’ve happened to the Warriors if they didn’t get a win in Memphis on Tuesday, on the heels of seven straight losses.
Alas, Golden State took care of business and then some, dominating the young Grizzlies from start to finish for a much needed 114-95 blowout win.
Surprisingly, it wasn’t Eric Paschall who dominated for the D’Angelo Russell-less Warriors, though the rookie did work hard for 17 points — including eight in the fourth quarter — in 24 minutes before fouling out.
This time it was veterans Draymond Green and Alec Burks who carried the load, with help from Marquese Chriss who had his best game in a Warrior uniform, and showed flashes of why he was selected with 8th overall pick in 2016.
It looked like Green’s night was going to be spoiled late in the third quarter, when the former Defensive Player of the Year fell hard on his right elbow after contesting a shot, the same elbow he injured in the season opener vs. the Clippers.
Dray hit his elbow hard ? pic.twitter.com/za4B6tWx96
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) November 20, 2019
The Warriors caught a break, however, as Green was able to return to start the fourth quarter after putting on a sleeve with padding on the elbow area.
Back to that performance. Green again started at point guard and played like one, finishing with 11 assists including these two gems in the open floor.
Dray creating easy buckets ? pic.twitter.com/1NejjVsUlO
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) November 20, 2019
Draymond strips the ball away from Valančiūnas at the rim and then leads the break + throws the perfect lob to Glenn Robinson. Decent sequence pic.twitter.com/D3b4pLhBv7
— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) November 20, 2019
It was a quintessential complete floor game from Green, who at one point even played off-guard alongside Ky Bowman. Green finished two points shy of a triple-double while also adding 10 rebounds and two blocks.
Burks’ night was more one-dimensional, but showcased his ability to capably fill the role of bench scorer when Golden State is back to full strength. The eight-year veteran led all players with 28 points in 36 minutes, and did so efficiently, going 9-of-15 from the floor.
For Chriss it was largely a showcase of his elite athleticism on both ends. In just 21 minutes the 22-year old finished with 17 points to go along with four blocks.
Glenn Robinson also pitched in one of his best games as a Warrior, finishing with 20 points to go along with 8-of-14 shooting. Robinson was especially adept at running the floor, finding easy buckets in the fast break to go along with a 3-of-6 performance from downtown.
Despite a few impressive passes, Jordan Poole’s awful start to the season continued. The rookie’s 17 minutes were the least of any Warriors player. He went 2-of-8 from the field, and is now shooting an appalling 26 percent on the season.
JP ⬆️ Marquese pic.twitter.com/DPGUPiZNwS
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) November 20, 2019
Especially after hitting the midrange jumper, Poole’s gotta tighten that curl and come off the screen near the FT line. Instead, he curled out to a 3 pic.twitter.com/owg0RVopE4
— Marcus Thompson (@ThompsonScribe) November 20, 2019
There were few performances of note from the Grizzlies side. Rookie Ja Morant has showed flashes of a star in the making, but looked very much like a first year player going 7-of-20 from the field while also adding three turnovers.
The Warriors are back at it tomorrow night vs. the talented Mavericks in Dallas.