Steve Kerr ejected, Memphis Grizzlies beat Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr was sent off after unloading on the referees in his team’s 123-95 shorthanded loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Desmond Bane scored 22 points while De’Anthony Melton and Dillon Brooks added 21 points each as the Grizzlies, who were without Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr, cemented their hold on second place in the NBA Western Conference .
It was always going to be a tough game for the Warriors, with NBA superstar Stephen Curry, who missed six games with a sprained left foot, out of contention along with Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Otto Porter Jr.
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And with the Warriors having lost five of their last six games before the game with the Grizzlies, it couldn’t be easier against a Memphis team that many envision having a deep playoff run when the basketball of post-season will then begin. month.
The frustrations clearly rubbed off on Kerr, who became very animated at the end of the first half when he let the officials know he was unhappy with their calls. And two techniques followed in quick succession as he addressed the officials.
Warriors center Kevon Looney said he was heading to the locker room when Kerr burst out.
“I watched Steve go crazy,” Looney said. “I know once he’s been there, there’s no stopping him.”
Social media was quick to respond, with many reporters and NBA pundits having their say.
Neither team was shooting well to start, and Memphis was a slow pacer at 50-50 balls. The teams combined to make just 13 of 45 shots in the first quarter.
Both were still mired at 25% apiece at the start of the second quarter before the score started to rise – for Memphis. Not Golden State.
“We obviously started a little slow,” Warriors assistant coach Mike Brown said after the game.
“(The Grizzlies) were a lot more physical than us in the first half. We didn’t compete at the level we thought we needed to get into their building.”
The Grizzlies shot 59% in the second, including four of six from beyond the arc. With the Warriors still stuck at 25% shooting, Memphis edged the Warriors 43-21 in the second and held a 63-37 lead at the break.
Jordan Poole helped the Warriors narrow Memphis’ lead with 13 points in the third, but Golden State was never within 18 points.
Memphis led 95-67 in the final quarter.
“That kind of deficit is hard to overcome when you have all your main players,” said Brown, who praised his team for their second-half play.
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