The Warriors’ quest for 73 wins was almost undone by Matt Barnes.
The Warriors that looked like they got they got their rhythm back against the Spurs did not show up in Memphis, they couldn’t keep the grit-and-grind Grizzlies off the offensive glass (Memphis rebounded 29 percent of its missed shots), and it took a Draymond Green tip-in with a minute left — and the referees swallowing their whistles after that — to get the Warriors a 100-99 win.
With the victory the Warriors are 71-9, and their quest for the record 73 wins remains alive. The real challenge comes Sunday night, when the Warriors play on the second night of a back-to-back in San Antonio, where the Spurs have not lost this season (and will play their core guys).
Saturday’s game was the reverse of what has happened most of the season for Golden State — the front court bailed out the backcourt. Green led the way with 23 points, including the game-winner.
Curry was off his game, shooting just 3-of-14 from three and finishing with 17 points on 22 shots. Klay Thompson was 2-of-10 from three. As a team, the Warriors hit just 27.8 percent of their threes. Not that Curry didn’t have his moments.
Barnes was a beast for the shorthanded Grizzlies, scoring 24 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. Memphis is the six seed currently in the West but could slide to seventh, depending on what Dallas does the rest of the way. Due to all their injuries, Memphis is the team all of the top four teams in the West would prefer to face.
