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Memphis Grizzlies: Marc Gasol leads easy win over Golden State Warriors

By Don Wade, The Sports Xchange
Marg Gasol and the Memphis Grizzlies manhandled Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI
Marg Gasol and the Memphis Grizzlies manhandled Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Center Marc Gasol scored 34 points and grabbed 14 rebounds as the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Golden State Warriors 111-101 on Saturday night at FedExForum.

The Warriors (1-2) got 37 points from guard Stephen Curry and 29 points and 13 rebounds from forward Kevin Durant, but it wasn't enough as the Grizzlies led almost the entire game and by as many as 19 points in the second half.

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Arguing a no-call with 43.5 seconds left in the game, both Curry and Durant were ejected. The Grizzlies shot 37 free throws to 27 for the Warriors.

Golden State made a late push in the fourth quarter and twice trimmed the lead to eight points, but couldn't get any closer. Ahead by five points at halftime, Memphis (2-0) blitzed the Warriors with a 15-0 run in the third quarter and held an 88-71 advantage going into the fourth quarter.

The Warriors shot 39.3 percent from the floor and went 12-for-38 from 3-point range for 31.6 percent. Memphis shot 46.8 percent from the field while going 10-for-27 from distance for 37 percent.

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Forward James Ennis finished with 13 points for the Grizzlies, guard Tyreke Evans had 12 points and seven rebounds, point guard Mike Conley scored 10 points with seven assists and guard Mario Chalmers chipped in 10 points. Golden State guard Klay Thompson finished with 14 points.

The Grizzlies' bench outscored the Golden State bench 41-18.

Memphis led 56-51 at halftime and Gasol already had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Curry and Durant each had 16 points.

NOTES: Memphis PF JaMychal Green suffered a high ankle sprain in the season opener and is expected to be out a few weeks. F Jarell Martin took his place in the starting lineup Saturday night. Asked why he went with Martin, Grizzlies coach David Fizdale said: "Why not? He's going to play the bulk of the minutes at that position." ... Golden State coach Steve Kerr said there were an unusually large number of fans in the Peabody Hotel in downtown Memphis before the game, as much or more as the old Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls teams would draw. "Maybe it's because people wanted to see the ducks (which do a walk in the lobby) and see the Warriors in the lobby at the same time." ... Almost half of C Marc Gasol's 34 points came at the foul line, where he was 16 of 17. ... Warriors swingman Andre Iguodala was 0-for-5 from the field Saturday and didn't score in 29 minutes of action.

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