Grizzlies drop 4th straight game in loss to Warriors

The Memphis Grizzlies looked to end a three game losing streak against a Warriors team that has also been struggling. The Grizzlies have been decimated by injury, but the return of Luke Kennard and Derrick Rose from injury looked to give them a boost on the second night of a back to back. But, it still was not enough as the Grizzlies lost their fourth straight, including three of them on their home court.

Offense was a major struggle for the Grizzlies early on, making just 32% of their shots and shooting 4-16 from behind the arc. However, they did not let the Warriors get going offensively either, forcing 5 turnovers and blocking two shots. At the end of the first, the Grizzlies were only down one despite one of the worst shooting quarters of the season.

Both teams would pick it up offensively in the second quarter, but it was Johnathan Kuminga who began to take over the game. Kuminga ended the quarter scoring 15 points on 6-6 shooting with some very strong finishes around the rim. His play along with more shooting struggles from the Grizzlies allowed the Warriors to build a double-digit lead. 

At the half, the Warriors held a 57-47 lead thanks to Kuminga’s strong play and 21 points from the Warriors bench. The Grizzlies finished the half shooting just 35% from the field and could not find any rythym on the offensive end. Jackson Jr. led the way with 13 points and Jacob Gilyard was 3-5 from behind the arc.

Coming out of the half down by double digits is nothing new for this team, in the past the third quarter is where they would start a run. Tonight, that was not the case as the Warriors had answers for every Grizzlies bucket. Even with the Grizzlies starting to shoot the ball better in the paint, the Warriors would extend their lead to 12 heading into the 4th.

The fourth quarter was more of the same for the Grizzlies, it’s very hard to win games shooting under 40% from the floor. Down the stretch it was Kuminga and Steph Curry, who combined for 49 points, that closed out the game giving the Warriors a 121-101 win.

Grizzlies offensive continues to struggle

Defensively, the Grizzlies have been pretty solid even with all their major injuries, but the offensive end of the floor has been a major issue. A team that used to lead the league in paint points has now become a team that lives or dies by the three. Tonight, they lost the paint battle 60-42 as the Warriors had one of their best paint scoring nights of the season.

When it’s falling the Grizzlies are tough to beat, but lately it hasn’t been. Against the Warriors the Grizzlies only made 14 of their 46 attempts from behind the arc. With their missing firepower it makes sense to try to overcome it with shooting from deep, but the offense needs to be much more balanced. Over half of your shots coming from three usually isn’t a good thing.

Losing streak continues

After winning three in a row last week the Grizzlies have come back to earth. Tonight was the 4th straight loss for the Grizzlies with a trip to Boston and New York on the horizon. The unprecedented number of injuries have left the Grizzlies rotations extremely short handed, asking role players to do much more than they can. All of that combined with two back to backs in the same week seems to have take its toll. With Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart still weeks away from a return, it could get worse before it gets better for the Grizzlies.