A big boost from the very deep Memphis bench put a stop to the Golden State Warriors’ 16-game winning streak.
With all backups on the floor, Vince Carter and the Grizzlies scored 20 straight points to start the second quarter and went on to beat Golden State 105-98 on Tuesday night.
“They punched us in the mouth to start the second quarter, and that was the difference in the game,” Golden State coach Steve Kerr said.
Carter scored 11 of his season-high 16 points during the decisive run. Marc Gasol scored 24 points and Zach Randolph had 17 points and 10 rebounds as Memphis earned their fifth straight win.
Mike Conley had 17 points and reserve Jon Leuer added 11 for the Grizzlies. Memphis trailed 30-24 before holding the Warriors scoreless for the first five minutes of the second period.
“They deserve all the credit for what they did,” Gasol said of the bench. “They came in, and I thought defensively they did an amazing job playing from one side of the floor helping the other side ... Young guy Vince made some tough shots.”
The Warriors (21-3) came in with the NBA's best record at 21-2 and longest winning streak in franchise history. They lost for the first time since November 11 against the Spurs, also the last team to beat Memphis. This was the first time in NBA history in which both teams had 19 or more wins in the first 24 games – the Grizzlies improved to 20-4.
“We understand it was a nice run and something the franchise has never done before,” Golden State star Stephen 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.”
Curry missed back-to-back three-pointers in the final 10 seconds. He had 19 points on 9-of-25 shooting, including a 1-for-10 night from beyond the arc.
Klay Thompson scored 22 points for the Warriors, and Marreese Speights had 18. Harrison Barnes scored 11 points while playing with a mask to protect a broken bone in his face.
The Warriors trailed by as many as 14 and got within two twice in the fourth quarter, the last at 90-88 on an alley-oop dunk for Shaun Livingston with 5:09 to go. Memphis responded with a 7-0 run capped by two foul shots for Courtney Lee after Kerr and Warriors guard Andre Iguodala each picked up a technical foul.
Golden State closed a three-game road swing with 7-foot centre Andrew Bogut sitting out a fourth straight game with a right knee injury and David Lee still out with a hamstring problem. The Warriors countered the size difference inside with Curry and Thompson going to the basket repeatedly. They managed to tie Memphis with 50 points in the paint.
That Memphis run was one of the best in franchise history as the Grizzlies hit their first six shots of the period. Carter hit three of his three-pointers in the surge, helping Memphis to a 57-49 lead at half-time.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
Pelicans 119 (12-12), Jazz 111 (6-19)
Anthony Davis returned from a chest injury and scored 31 points, helping New Orleans rally for the win.
Davis, who missed most of Friday night’s victory over Cleveland and all of Sunday night’s loss to Golden State, played with a protective vest that did not appear to inhibit him. He had nine rebounds and three blocks, with all three rejections coming in the pivotal final four minutes.
Ryan Anderson hit six three-pointers and finished with 28 points for New Orleans, while Tyreke Evans added 19 points, scoring nine during New Orleans’ 41-point fourth quarter.
Enes Kanter scored 29 points for Utah, who have lost three straight and 12 of 13.
Thunder 104 (12-13), Kings 92 (11-14)
Russell Westbrook had 32 points and seven assists, Kevin Durant scored 26 and Oklahoma City beat the reeling Sacramento Kings for their seventh straight win.
The Kings played their first game since Michael Malone was fired as coach and lead assistant Tyrone Corbin was promoted to interim coach. They trailed 9-0 after 2 1/2 minutes and dropped to 2-8 while franchise centrepiece DeMarcus Cousins recovers from viral meningitis.
The Thunder went ahead by 16 in the first quarter, led by just seven at half-time and pulled away again in the closing minutes behind their star duo. Oklahoma City improved to 7-1 since Durant returned from a broken right foot.
Rudy Gay scored 22 points, and reserve Carl Landry added 14 for the Kings.
Mavericks 107 (18-8), Knicks 87 (5-22)
Tyson Chandler had three dunks during Dallas’ sizzling start to his return to New York, and Dirk Nowitzki scored 16 points for the Mavericks.
Chandler played a key role in the NBA’s highest-scoring team putting together a nearly unstoppable start that gave them the lead for good. Monta Ellis added 14 points, and Chandler Parsons had 13 after missing a game with a sore lower back.
Carmelo Anthony scored 26 points for the Knicks. Tim Hardaway Jr had 14 but was 5-for-17 in another poor shooting effort.
Shortly after hearing mostly cheers during introductions, Chandler dunked a lob pass for the game’s opening basket. He threw down another alley-oop that gave Dallas 10 baskets in their first 11 shots.
Heat 95 (12-13), Nets 91 (10-13)
Dwyane Wade scored 28 points, leading Miami to the road win.
The Heat had five players score in double figures, including three reserves. Starting forward Luol Deng had 18 points, and rookie Shabazz Napier scored 11.
The game was delayed for 29 minutes in the first quarter when the installation of a new green roof at Barclays Center led to a water leak.
Mason Plumlee had 21 points and nine rebounds for Brooklyn, and Joe Johnson scored 16 points. Deron Williams added 15 points and 11 assists.
Wizards 109 (18-6), Timberwolves 95 (5-19)
John Wall scored 21 points and equalled a career high with 17 assists, helping Washington to their fifth consecutive win.
Washington scored 14 straight to take a 14-2 lead less than 4 1/2 minutes into the game. Wall had 10 points and six assists in the first quarter.
Rasual Butler had 23 points for the Wizards.
Thaddeus Young, who led a third-quarter charge, had a season-high 29 points for Minnesota, which has lost nine of 10. Shabazz Muhammad scored 21.
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