Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors Bounce Back In Huge Win Over Memphis Grizzlies

Dec 7, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson (11) dribbles the ball around Memphis Grizzlies shooting guard Nick Calathes (12) during the third quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Is this sheer inconsistency? Or is this the work of a brilliant basketball club? From a fan’s point of view, it’s obvious that the latter is the favorable answer, but both answers are plausible. Nevertheless, a win is a win and that’s how this night is going to go down in the history books. On Saturday night, the Golden State Warriors crushed the Memphis Grizzlies 108-82.

Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry and David Lee (who else?) led the way for the Dubs, who shot 50 percent from the field, 44 percent from the 3-point line and 86 percent from the free throw line. Thompson finished with 30, Lee with 23 and 11 rebounds, and Curry with 22 and a career high-tying 15 assists.

The Warriors had it going tonight, and a lot of their success can be attributed to their superstars.

In the first quarter, the Warriors came surging out of the gates, and immediately, fans began to think that the Warriors owned the game. For a while, it looked that way as well. Thompson scored 16 of his 30 in the quarter in what was a lightning start for him. The Grizzlies jabbed at the lead a couple of times, but the Dubs kept it at 10, 29-19 heading into the second quarter.

Here, the Grizzlies began pounding the Warriors, who never relinquished their lead. They had it up to 16 points at one time, and it got as low as 6. This is where it stayed heading into the halftime, and the Warriors’ collars became a little tighter, as suddenly, the Grizzlies had taken away some breathing room.

In the third quarter, which is infamously known as the meltdown time, the Warriors performed surprisingly well. Curry began to find his shot, and he was getting almost all of his teammates involved. The Dubs extended their lead to 20, and by this time, they were running away with the game, and the Grizzlies could only watch while the Dubs bombed away 3-pointers and got to the hole with ease.

In the fourth quarter, the Warriors drilled the Grizzlies again and continued to add to their lead. When it was all said and done, Nemanja Nedovic splashed in a deep 3-pointer as the 4th quarter clock nearly expired and the Warriors had a 26-point lead.

The Warriors lost nine straight in Memphis? That streak is over. The Warriors lost 11 straight to Memphis? That streak is over. The Warriors haven’t won on the back end of a back to back? That streak is over. So many positives in one night.

Even more good news: according to Ric Bucher in one of his off-camera reports, Toney Douglas is expecting to play in the Warriors’ final road game of the trip against the Charlotte Bobcats. This is a game where the Warriors would like to have as Curry travels home. The Warriors would like to capture their first winning roadtrip of the season.