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Warriors Roll Past Grizzlies 117-86

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[April 05, 2008]  MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- Andris Biedrins had 21 points and 17 rebounds, and the Golden State Warriors climbed within a half-game of eighth place in the Western Conference with a 117-86 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night.

Golden State, which snapped a two-game losing streak, had six players in double figures. Monta Ellis scored 19 points, while Kelenna Azubuike added 15 points and 10 rebounds. Stephen Jackson finished with 14 points, Marco Belinelli had 13 and Brandan Wright scored 10.

The Warriors are a half-game behind idle Denver for the final playoff spot in the West. Biedrins shot 8-of-11 from the field and grabbed five offensive rebounds.

Rudy Gay led Memphis with 23 points, while Hakim Warrick finished with 13 and Kyle Lowry had 12.

The win gave the Warriors a season sweep of Memphis. Golden State, which has won seven straight over Memphis, had not recorded a four-game sweep of the Grizzlies since 1995-96, although the Warriors won all three games in the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season.

Biedrins dominated the middle, spinning around Memphis defenders and connecting on high-percentage inside shots. Ellis also was getting to the basket, including several on fast breaks, and Memphis seemed unwilling to get in the Warriors' way.

Biedrins already had a double-double with 9 minutes left in the first half, and the Warriors built a 19-point lead before carrying a 60-46 advantage into the dressing room.

As is the case with both teams, there was little defense, but the Warriors converted Memphis' lack of resistance into 56 percent shooting in the first half, and finished the night shooting 54 percent.

Biedrins and Ellis had 14 points apiece at the half, while Azubuike had 10.

At times, the play was sloppy, and the Warriors' 12 first-half turnovers prevented them from extending the lead.

Golden State continued to pull away after halftime, starting with a 7-1 run as Memphis missed seven of its first eight shots. The Warriors held a 28-point lead in the third and led 90-66 entering the fourth.

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By that point, Memphis was shooting 39 percent from the field, including only 4-of-16 outside the arc. Golden State eventually would lead by 33.

Notes:@ There was a moment of silence before the game for Dr. Martin Luther King, the late civil rights leader who was killed on the balcony of a Memphis motel 40 years ago on Friday. ... Grizzlies C Jason Collins started for the first time since being traded to Memphis from New Jersey on Feb. 4. ... Memphis' 86 points marked the first time in eight games between the two teams that both didn't score at least 100. ... Official Tony Brown handed out a technical to Collins in the first quarter when Collins complained after a foul called on Warrick. Collins thought he was fouled on a dunk attempt moments earlier. ... Official Bill Kennedy caused one of the Grizzlies' 18 turnovers. Memphis was on a fast break and a lead pass was thrown to Mike Miller. Kennedy, who was running to get ahead of the play, had the ball hit him on the heel, kicking the ball into press row and giving the ball to Golden State.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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