http://tinyurl.com/5rg9y Griz convincing in 2nd win Grizzlies 96, Warriors 67 : Road trip next after strong effort By Ronald Tillery Contact November 13, 2004 Albeit two games, the Grizzlies can now claim a winning streak. And their last two victims still may be trying to make a shot. If all else fails -- and the Grizzlies experienced their share of offensive malfunctions to start the season -- then stop the other team. That's something the Griz have obviously taken to heart, setting several defensive records in their 96-67 victory Friday night over the Golden State Warriors. In delivering their second straight lopsided victory before an announced crowd of 17,086 in FedExForum, the Griz held the Warriors to 27.5 percent shooting and recorded 17 blocks. Memphis (2-4) also grabbed 62 rebounds -- all of which are franchise records and added to the confidence of a team that lost its first four games to start the season. "It's a psychological thing when you have a young team," Griz coach Hubie Brown said. "Young teams are fragile. You never lose sight of that. Then, you always don't panic. All they needed was a win to feel good about themselves. ... This is how we want to play." The Griz blew away the Warriors (0-6) with the same defensive intensity they displayed Wednesday in a convincing win against the Los Angeles Lakers. Early strife has been replaced by much-needed momentum as the Griz now ready for a four-game trek west starting Sunday at Seattle. No matter how that trip pans out, it's safe to say the Griz are at least pointed in the right direction. Point guards Jason Williams and Earl Watson combined to thoroughly outplay the Warriors' backcourt, leading a highly effective fast-break offense. "We stayed together and kept pushing," Watson said. "Hubie's not going to change his system, and the system is working at its best. It doesn't matter if a team knows your offense. In the NBA, it's about execution." While Golden State didn't score more than 19 points in any quarter, Memphis raced up and down the floor, scoring at will. The Griz shot 46 percent and enjoyed a 22-8 scoring advantage in fast-break points. "It starts with our point guards," forward Shane Battier said. "When they get up and pressure, it puts pressure on the wings to pressure. It puts pressure on our centers to pressure. It doesn't take much. You don't want to be the weak link. It looks bad and everyone in the building can see it." The Griz led 72-51 heading into the fourth quarter, which could have used a running clock. Their lead never dipped below 19 points, and Golden State had already missed 52 of 70 at that point. "Confidence-wise, our guys are hurting because they don't know where to get a basket," Warriors coach Mike Montgomery said. "We've got to find ways to get shots that they can make so that we can establish a game in the paint." Just how dominant the Grizzlies' defense was could be summed up by a sequence in the third. Stromile Swift forcibly swatted a Clifford Robinson attempt in the paint, then he jammed Troy Murphy at the free throw line. Murphy had no choice but to force a wild shot that fell short as the shot clock expired. Mike Miller sank a 20-foot jump shot from the top of the key moments later, and the Griz took a 66-45 lead with slightly less than four minutes left in the third period. "Anytime you have a good night blocking it helps keep them shooting a low percentage," Griz forward Pau Gasol said. "It was good that we woke up after a slow start." Memphis blew the game open with a 21-5 run just before halftime. The Grizzlies defense allowed just one field goal and routinely beat the Warriors in transition during that stretch. "The last two games we were able to get out on the break," Miller said. "And when the offense runs, it really makes a big difference. You get easy buckets and the crowd gets into it. It's just a domino effect really." Brown is more than pleased. "The guys are really closing down their man," Brown said. "We're doing a better job in the passing lanes, and it's causing deflections. Deflections are as good as blocks and misses because it gets us going." It's mini, but a Grizzly roll nonetheless. -- Ronald Tillery: 529-2353 --

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