The Golden State Warriors were severely undermanned in their game on Monday night against the Memphis Grizzlies; how undermanned are they?  Consider they are without the services of Stephen Jackson (out for year – toe), Brandan Wright (shoulder), Andris Biedrins (left ankle) and Corey Maggette (head contusion).  But nonetheless, they had a game to play.  Memphis, like any true team would do, took advantage of Golden State’s shortage of healthy players, although they had to rally late in the fourth quarter.  The end result?  Memphis nipped Golden State 114-109 at Oracle Arena.

Despite their short-handedness, the Warriors remained close in the first half, thanks to the hot shooting of Monta Ellis and Jamal Crawford as they combined for 30 points and scored 12 of Golden State’s final 15 points in the second quarter; they would go into halftime trailing by four.  Golden State led 90-81 with 9 minutes left to go in the game, but Memphis would go on a 12-0 run to take the lead halfway through the final quarter.

The Grizzlies’ O.J. Mayo, who made a free throw courtesy of a technical foul given to Ellis with 7:32 remaining, made the ensuing free throw which gave the Grizzlies a 91-90 edge; Hamed Haddadi followed with a pair of free throws then the Warriors’ Anthony Morrow drained a 3-pointer, but they couldn’t quite catch up.

Three Memphis players scored at least 21 points, led by Mayo with 24 points, 3 rebounds, 10 assists and 2 steals while Mike Conley and Rudy Gay added 21 each – with Conley making three 3-pointers, grabbing 6 rebounds, dishing out 6 assists along with 4 steals while Gay grabbed 5 rebounds, dished out 2 assists along with 2 steals and 5 blocks.

Golden State was led by Ellis with 29 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal but committed 5 turnovers while Crawford added 26 (including five treys) with 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks; Anthony grabbed 12 boards in a losing effort.  Memphis (19-54) plays again on Wednesday when they return home to host the Washington Wizards while Golden State (25-49) remains home to host the Sacramento Kings – also on Wednesday night.