The Memphis Grizzlies beat the Golden State Warriors 111-108 on Friday night at Chase Center, according to game records, improving to 2-0 while Golden State fell to 0-2. It was a tight, back-and-forth contest that stayed in doubt until the final possessions.
Golden State led 34-33 after the first quarter and the game swung repeatedly from there. Memphis edged the second quarter 27-22, Golden State won the third 34-24, and Memphis closed it out 27-18 in the fourth. That final-quarter response proved decisive on the road.
The Warriors had chances late, but Memphis defended the key possessions, rebounded well and made its free throws when it mattered. Road wins like this, in a loud arena against a proud opponent, are the kind that build belief early in a season.
Fourth Quarter Decides A Tight Game
Memphis trailed heading into the fourth quarter after Golden State’s third-quarter surge. Instead of folding, the Grizzlies slowed the game down, got stops and found better shots. The 27-18 final quarter was a clinic in closing a game away from home.
Golden State will be frustrated. The Warriors scored 108 points and had the crowd behind them, but they could not find the one extra stop or basket in the closing minutes. At 0-2, the early-season pressure is already building in San Francisco.
Early Records Tell A Story
Two games is a tiny sample, but 2-0 versus 0-2 still matters for confidence. Memphis travels with momentum and a growing belief that it can win close games on the road. Golden State, meanwhile, must find a way to finish games, because moral victories do not count in the standings.
Both teams will meet again later in the season, and the Warriors will want revenge. For now, though, Memphis owns the early bragging rights after a composed fourth quarter at Chase Center.
