What we learned when the Warriors beat Grizz to remain undefeated in the NBA Cup originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

BOX SCORE

SAN FRANCISCO – There was simply no way to match the energy of Tuesday night three days later at Chase Center.

The air in the building during the return of Klay Thompson was that of an NBA playoff atmosphere. Friday night’s mood grew stronger as millions watched the spectacle of a 58-year-old pigeon fighting a cartoon character posing as a boxer.

A game of deception was certainly on the table. Instead, the Warriors fought off early shots and outlasted the Ja Morant-less Memphis Grizzlies, 123-118.

Steph Curry in his previous two games scored a total of 73 points and made 12 3-pointers. The Grizzlies made it a point to guard Curry wherever he went, which allowed him to score just 13 points in 26 minutes. Curry took just nine shots, making 4 of 9 overall and 3 of 7 from three. But he added eight rebounds, five assists and four steals.

While the Warriors made 19 three-pointers and a 41.3 3-point percentage, the Grizzlies made just seven, with a low 16.7 3-point percentage. The Warriors also won the bench battle, 67-61.

Here are three takeaways from the Warriors’ improvement to 10-2, as well as 2-0 in the NBA Cup.

Draymond from downtown

On a night where Curry isn’t being hell, every point counts. Especially from Draymond Green, and even more so behind the 3-point line.

Green missed his first two 3-point attempts in the first quarter and didn’t attempt it once in the second. But in the third, he made 2 of 4 shots from long range. It’s not exactly a heater, but historically it’s a big problem for Green and Golden State as a whole.

Green’s consecutive three-pointers early in the third quarter gave the Warriors an 11-point two-point lead. It also extended his streak from three to four consecutive games, matching a career high. How important is this matter? The Warriors are now 140-30 all-time in the regular season when making two or more 3-pointers in a game.

Last season, Green shot a career-high 39.5 percent on 3-pointers. After going 3 of 7 against the Grizzlies, Green is now shooting 45.2 percent from beyond the arc this season, making 19 of 42 attempts.

Bad luck for the waters

The Warriors were dealt a major injury blow on Thursday when it was announced that De’Anthony Melton suffered a sprained left ACL. Coach Steve Kerr, in his pregame press conference, said there is still no timetable for Melton’s return, but he is expected to miss at least some games. Then, during the second quarter on Friday night, the Warriors were once again bitten by the pest of an injury.

Lindy Waters III got his second start of the season, replacing Melton, and scored five points in the first quarter. His 3-pointer from the corner scored the Warriors’ first three points of the evening.

With two minutes left in the first half, Waters had eight points and made two threes. He also had a great block, but the result saw him on the ground and out for the game. Waters jumped two feet to meet Santi Aldama at the rim to block him off the backboard. But when he landed, Waters’ left leg buckled and he immediately grabbed his left knee. Waters was rolling on the ground to get out of the game while writhing in pain.

After being down for a short while and being treated by trainers, Waters got up and ran down the tunnel unassisted, but with a slight limp. At halftime, the Warriors announced he was out for the remainder of the game with what was diagnosed as hyperextension of the left knee.

Brandin Podziemski started the second half in place of Waters.

Game of the game

Scratch that. The piece of the year? From a purely scoring standpoint, it has to be.

Heart and hustle with eyes in the back of your head. Podziemski presented the three in a piece that seemed too good to be true. Words don’t do it justice. Observe and do your best to keep your jaw from touching the floor.

What started with Jonathan Kuminga knocking down a Grizzlies pass attempt ended with a running dunk for two points. In the middle was one of the most impressive passes in the entire NBA. Not only did Podziemski run into the front row of fans to keep the play alive, but he also used his non-dominant right hand to throw a pass behind his back, somehow delivering it to Kuminga, who caught the ball with one bounce and quickly. jumped on former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr.

The start of the season has not been ideal for Podziemski. This piece is also a direct example of the energy he always brings whenever his name is called.

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