As long as the the Golden State Warriors continue to dominate three glaring stats, it is going to be basically game over regardless of who they faced.
Golden State won the bench wars anew, hit 19 threes and dished out 33 assists in a 123-118 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, for 2-0 NBA Cup start.
Got that W on Warriors Ground 😤
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) November 16, 2024
Buddy Hield scored 18 points to lead the Warriors with Stephen Curry, Andre Wiggins, and Draymond Green all chipping 13 markers apiece.
Buddy Hield with the HANDLES 👀
— NBA TV (@NBATV) November 16, 2024
Moses Moody added 14 while all 13 players head coach Steve Kerr fielded scored for Golden State, who now improved to 10-2 overall with one game behind the West-leading OKC Thunder (11-2).
Teamwork makes the dream work
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) November 16, 2024
📺 @NBCSAuthentic
Entering the game, both the Warriors (58.0) and the Grizzlies (46.8) are ranked no. 1 and 2 in bench points this season.
Golden State got the upper hand in that department, 67-62, on top of connecting more threes and dishing out more dimes that ultimately pushed them to a third straight win.
The Warriors led by as many as 24 points before the Grizzlies cut the lead to single digits but ran out of time.
Money Green 💵
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) November 16, 2024
📺 @NBCSAuthentic
Earlier, Golden State built a 11-point lead and carried a sizable 55-48 halftime lead.
3??0??'s energy is unmatched
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) November 16, 2024
📺 @NBCSAuthentic
A well-distributed offense saw the Warriors make 22 field goals on 17 assists with nearly half of their offensive production in the first two quarters coming from their bench at 27 points.
PODZ ARE YOU SERIOUS??
— NBA (@NBA) November 16, 2024
🏆 West Group C action
🏀 MEM-GSW | ESPN
Meanwhile, Jaren Jackson Jr. paced the Grizzlies with a team-high 32 points as Memphis dropped their opening game in the NBA Cup.
For the fourth straight game, the Grizzlies played without superstar guard Ja Morant who’s dealing with a hip injury. He last played in Memphis' 131-114 win against the LA Lakers last November 7.
They, however, welcome the return of Desmond Bane, who came off the bench to score 18 points. Bane has been out for the Grizzlies for the last seven games.
Zach Edey had a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double while Jaylen Wells also contributed 16 markers.
Golden State will next face the New Orleans Pelicans before capping off their NBA Cup group stage outing against the Denver Nuggets.
Still up next for the Grizzlies are Denver, New Orleans and the Dallas Mavericks.
