Pat Spencer had 17 points and seven assists, leading seven players in double figures for a Warriors team that was without Stephen Curry for the fourth straight game because of a lingering right knee injury that coach Steve Kerr said would keep him out of the All-Star Game next week.
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A layup by De’Anthony Melton with 2:46 left pulled the Warriors within 113-110 and Moses Moody put the game within one point with 2 minutes remaining. Brandin Podziemski, Santos and Horford each scored 16 points and Moody 15.
Earlier in the day, Curry’s defensive partner Jimmy Butler underwent surgery in Los Angeles for a season-ending tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee last month.
Ty Jerome scored 14 of his 19 points in the first half and also dished out seven assists.
Jahmai Mashack scored 17 points off the bench, Taylor Hendricks had 15 points and 10 rebounds and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope contributed 15 points, and the Grizzlies’ reserves scored 68 points, the most Golden State has given up to an opponent’s reserves this season.
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Memphis lost its third straight game and ninth of 11. The Warriors won the first meeting 131-118 on Oct. 27 at Chase Center, and have won the last eight meetings overall at home since a 104-101 loss at Chase Center on Oct. 28, 2021.
Golden State cut Memphis’ lead to 54-53 on Spencer’s layup with 2:58 left in the second quarter, then the Grizzlies closed the half on an 11-4 run for a 65-57 halftime lead, getting five straight points from Scotty Pippen Jr. down the stretch.
Draymond Green scored 14 points with four 3-pointers and passed Latrell Sprewell (8,032) for 14th place on the Warriors franchise scoring list.
Next
Grizzlies: At Denver on Wednesday night to conclude a five-game road trip before the All-Star break.
Warriors: Host San Antonio on Wednesday night.
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NBA AP: https://apnews.com/NBA