By the Associated Press
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis center Jonas Valanciunas likes to remind people that there’s still room for the big man in today’s NBA. But after one of his most productive games of the season, he emphasized the team philosophy.
Valanciunas had 31 points and a season-high 19 rebounds and the Grizzlies dominated the second half, beating Golden State 122-102 on Sunday night to hand the Warriors their eighth straight loss.
Memphis Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas (17) shoots ahead of Golden State Warriors forward Omari Spellman (4) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
“It wasn’t just running the play for me or somebody else,” Valanciunas said. “You just share the ball, play together, find the open man. … The ball was coming to my hands tonight.”
Valanciunas was 13 of 17 from the field, including a 3-pointer to help the Grizzlies win their fifth straight. Jaren Jackson Jr. finished with 21 points, while Ja Morant had 11 points and 10 assists. Tyus Jones and Grayson Allen also had 11 points each, Allen converting all three of his 3- pointers.
D’Angelo Russell, who missed the previous six games with a right shoulder contusion, led the Warriors with 34 points. Alec Burks and Jordan Poole each had 13.
“It’s the adversity that we have to keep chipping away at,” Russell said about the losing streak. “It’s not easy to win in this league. Just have to look at film and see what we can do to get better.”
The winning streak — the longest of the season for the Grizzlies — was built in the second half, Memphis outscoring the Warriors 62-43 after leading 60-59 at intermission.
Valanciunas had 14 points and 11 rebounds at halftime, and continued his dominance in the third, crashing the boards and cashing in on second-chance points. Then a 3-pointer. By the time he headed to the bench for a break late in the third, the center had 15 points in the quarter, drawing a standing ovation from the Memphis faithful.
That was part of Memphis outscoring Golden State 35-17 in the third for a 95-76 advantage after three.
“We’re all playing, sharing the ball, trying to find the open man,” Valanciunas said. “That gives us the advantage over another team. It’s fun to play that way. Just look for the open man and try to create a play for another guy.”
Source: Manila Bulletin
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