Golden State Warriors: Recapping the Last 5 Games
Dec 16, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Marries Speights (5) guard Klay Thompson (11) forward Harrison Barnes (40) and guards Andre Iguodala (9) and Stephen Curry (30) walk back on the court after a timeout in the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Game 3
Definitely the toughest road test of the season and maybe even overall, the Warriors traveled to the Grind House to take on the Memphis Grizzlies.
With big man Bogut sidelined because of knee trouble, the task at hand became even more daunting. Nonetheless, the Warriors needed to march forward and learn to play without Bogut, as news broke that he would be out indefinitely.
The game started off in favor of the Warriors, thanks to a strong 11-4 run to the end the first quarter that gave them a 30-24 lead. All 11 of the points on this run were scored by either Iguodala, Speights or Shaun Livingston.
Just as quickly as Golden State’s lead was built with the help of their reserves, one Grizzlies bench player made that lead disappear, and then some.
Vince Carter turned into vintage Vinsanity during a second quarter stretch in which he knocked down three consecutive three-pointers. Carter’s three-point barrage propelled a 20-0 run to open the second quarter, giving the Grizzlies an eight-point lead headed into halftime.
"“They punched us in the mouth to start the second quarter, and that was the difference in the game,” Kerr said."
Multiple timeouts during the run didn’t help, as the Warriors kept missing shots and Memphis simply kept knocking them down.
Coming out of the break, the Warriors still had trouble finding the basket. That, combined with stout defense from Memphis, allowed the deficit to extend to 11 points heading into the fourth quarter.
One thing about this Warriors team though is no matter the deficit, the team doesn’t quit, and they can never be counted out. A solid fourth quarter brought the Warriors all the way back within two points at one point, but they couldn’t quite get over the hump.
One less missed basket, one more defensive stop, or even one travel call, and the game could have been won.
About that travel call…Mike Conley got away with a definite travel and not only that, but he was also given an and-1 on top of that.
Kerr and Iguodala were understandably upset about the non-call and were each hit with a technical foul.
Iguodala expressed his displeasure in the funniest way possible.
The 16-game win streak had finally come to an end. The Warriors record fell to 21-3 on the season, still tops in the league.
"“We understand it was a nice run and something the franchise has never done before,” Curry said. “It’s put us in a good position to take a tough loss like we did tonight and keep moving. We’ll be all right. It was fun while it lasted.”"