Golden State Warriors Triumph Over Memphis Grizzlies in NBA Cup Showdown

In Friday’s NBA Cup game, the Golden State Warriors showcased their trademark resilience and strategy, securing a 123-118 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies. Despite Memphis boasting a clear size advantage with players like Jaren Jackson Jr., Zach Edey, Brandon Clarke, and Jay Huff, the Warriors managed to dictate the game’s tempo and neutralize the Grizzlies' strengths.

Stephen Curry and Ja Morant

 

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Warriors Dominate from Beyond the Arc

A glaring difference between the teams was their performance from the 3-point line. Golden State excelled, shooting an impressive 41.3% (19-of-46) from beyond the arc, while Memphis struggled, managing only 16.7% (7-of-42). This disparity proved critical, as the Grizzlies were inexplicably drawn into taking nine more 3-point attempts than their season average.

Jaren Jackson Jr. delivered a dominant performance in the paint, leading all scorers with 32 points on 11-of-20 shooting. However, Memphis’ reliance on low-percentage 3-point shots undermined their ability to capitalize on Jackson’s success inside.

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Stellar Defense and Balanced Contributions Propel Warriors

Golden State's defense, led by head coach Jerry Stackhouse, continued to shine, forcing Memphis into uncomfortable positions and stifling their offensive rhythm. The Warriors gradually built their lead through three quarters, highlighted by a decisive 38-30 third-quarter surge that gave them a 15-point cushion heading into the fourth.

The Warriors’ depth was on full display, with 10 players contributing at least eight points. Key performances included:

• Buddy Hield: 18 points, shooting 4-of-8 from 3-point range in 30 minutes off the bench.
• Moses Moody: 14 points, including three 3-pointers, in a strong showing off the bench.
• Brandin Podziemski: 11 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, with a standout highlight reel play showcasing his hustle and court vision.
• Draymond Green: A versatile performance with 13 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, before being ejected late in the game.

Veteran star Stephen Curry contributed 13 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and four steals in just 26 minutes before sitting out the fourth quarter.

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Grizzlies Show Late Fight but Fall Short

Despite entering the fourth quarter down by 15 points, Memphis showed grit in the closing moments, trimming the deficit to five. While this effort may hold importance in NBA Cup standings, the outcome was never in doubt. The loss dropped the Grizzlies to a 0-2 start in the tournament, while Golden State maintained a perfect 2-0 record.