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Grizzlies take momentum into meeting with Warriors

Mar 28, 2014 - 2:12 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Memphis Grizzlies have won three in a row and they'll try to continue their momentum Friday night when they visit Oracle Arena to face the Golden State Warriors.

The Grizz defeated the Indiana Pacers and Minnesota Timberwolves at FedExForum, then started a five-game western trip with a 91-87 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.

Zach Randolph scored 22 points and pulled down 13 rebounds to help the Grizzlies rally for the win. Mike Conley scored 19 points and Marc Gasol added 18 points and seven rebounds for the Grizzlies, winners in five of their last six.

Utah's lead was as high as 13 in the third period, but Gasol's 3-point play late in the quarter made it 71-62 heading into the final frame.

The Grizzlies chipped away in the fourth, eventually cutting the deficit to three, 78-75, following a Mike Miller 3-pointer with 7:18 left. The Jazz pushed their lead back to seven, 84-77, following a Derrick Favors slam, but a 12-0 burst gave the Grizzlies the lead for good.

"I think once we tightened up in the fourth quarter, we were able to get some deflections, get some steals, box out and do the little things to win," said Conley.

The Grizzlies are in seventh place in the Western Conference, but that could all change with a victory on Friday. Memphis trails the Warriors by a single game and is a half-game ahead of the Phoenix Suns, who reside in eighth.

The Grizzlies will visit the Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets and Timberwolves on this sojourn.

The Warriors had a three-game winning streak halted last time out with a 99-90 loss at home to the molten-hot San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.

Stephen Curry scored 20 points and Klay Thompson added 16 for the Warriors. David Lee was the only other Golden State player in double figures with 13, although Andrew Bogut pulled down 17 rebounds.

"We made some mistakes. It's a disappointing loss. It'll make us better," Warriors coach Mark Jackson said. "Hopefully we see them down the road again, but there's a reason why they're the best team in basketball."

The Warriors are firmly in the mix for another postseason appearance, but things don't appear golden in Golden State.

Jackson demoted assistant coach Brian Scalabrine to the their D-League affiliate in what Jackson called a "difference in philosophies." Reports have surfaced about Jackson's happiness and job status.

The Grizzlies have dominated this series in recent history with two wins this season (2-1) and 11 in their last 12 meetings. Memphis has won five straight as the visitor against the Warriors.