Curry scores 46 points, guides Warriors to victory over Grizzlies

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) – Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry scored 46 points to lead his team to a 113-104 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in an NBA game on Thursday night.

Gary Payton II racked up 22 points for the winning team at Chase Center, San Francisco.

Curry and Payton II were the only Warriors players to score in double digits.

Before the break, the Grizzlies were leading the game 53-52.

In the third quarter, the game was also tight as the Golden State led it 84-83.

Visitors Memphis tied the game 102-102 in the fourth quarter with 2:03 left.

Then Juan Toscano-Anderson's reverse layup and Payton II's three-point jump shot made the score 107-102 for the Warriors as only 1:12 remained to the end of the game.

The Warriors clinched the home win once Curry scored a layup to make it 109-102 as less than 20 seconds left.

The Golden State did not let the Memphis to challenge them in the rest of the time and won the game 113-104.

The Grizzlies were quite balanced in the offense.

Memphis point guard Ja Morant racked up 21 points to be his team's highest scorer.

In addition to Morant, Jaren Jackson-Jr. and De'Anthony Melton scored 20 points each.

The Warriors won 26 games but lost six others to be in the second place in the Western Conference standings.

The Golden State are following the West leaders Phoenix Suns, who went 26-5 this season.

In the next fixture, the Warriors will visit the Suns at Footprint Center on the Christmas Day.

Meanwhile the Grizzlies, who are currently in the fourth spot in the West standings, have 19-14 win/loss record.

- Walker scores 44 points but Knicks lose to Wizards

The Washington Wizards beat the New York Knicks 124-117 to ruin Kemba Walker's 44-point night at Madison Square Garden.

Walker, 31, played a monster game to tally nine rebounds and eight assists as well in New York.

Knicks forward Julius Randle had 23 points and his teammate Alec Burks scored 20 points as well.

Wizards pair Spencer Dinwiddie and Kyle Kuzma made a double-double each.

Dinwiddie scored 21 points and 12 assists, and Kuzma tallied 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Wizards forward Corey Kispert racked up 20 points, and point guard Aaron Holiday bagged 16 points.

Montrezl Harrell scored 15 points and team rookie Deni Avdija added 14 points for Washington.

The Wizards have 17-15 win/loss record to be in the sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings.

Another team from East, the Knicks were handed their 18th loss of the season.

The New York previously bagged 14 wins to rank 12th.

Meanwhile one of Thursday's matches between the Brooklyn Nets and the Portland Trail Blazers in Portland's Moda Center was previously postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

"The Nets do not have the league-required eight available players to proceed with the game against the Trail Blazers," the NBA said in a statement on Wednesday.

Ten Nets players, including team superstars Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving, have entered the NBA's health and safety protocols.

- Thursday's results:

Indiana Pacers - Houston Rockets: 118-106

Orlando Magic - New Orleans Pelicans: 104-110

Philadelphia 76ers - Atlanta Hawks: 96-98

Miami Heat - Detroit Pistons: 115-112

New York Knicks - Washington Wizards: 117-124

Dallas Mavericks - Milwaukee Bucks: 95-102

Denver Nuggets - Charlotte Hornets: 107-115

Phoenix Suns - Oklahoma City Thunder: 113-101

Utah Jazz - Minnesota Timberwolves: 128-116

Golden State Warriors - Memphis Grizzlies: 113-104

Los Angeles Lakers - San Antonio Spurs: 110-138