Warriors overcome Grizzlies for 71st win

The Golden State Warriors’ quest for NBA history is still alive - barely.  
Draymond Green had the go-ahead tip-in with a minute to play Saturday night and the visiting Warriors hung on for their 71st victory of the season, a 100-99 triumph over the injury-riddled Memphis Grizzlies.  
Green had 23 points and 11 rebounds for Golden State (71-9), which survived poor shooting from superstar Stephen Curry and kept alive their chances for 73 wins, which would break the all-time record of 72-10 set by Michael Jordan and the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls.  
“I want people to remember me as a winner,” Green said. “I’ve always said that. To have the all-time wins record, that speaks for itself.”
The Warriors have made no secret of their desire to break the record.  While other teams are resting players as the playoffs approach next weekend, Golden State has pursued history, and the stress may be taking a toll.  
In the last two weeks, the defending champions needed overtime to win at Utah and suffered their first two home losses of the season to Boston and Minnesota. On Sunday, the Warriors visit San Antonio, where they lost on March 19. They close the season Wednesday by hosting Memphis.  
“It might rejuvenate us once we get - hopefully - these next two wins,” Curry said. “We’re doing okay right now but we haven’t played our best so we’ve gotta find that as we look forward to next week.”   
In a game that featured 13 ties and 18 lead changes, the Warriors had to rally to beat the Grizzlies (42-38), who have used a record 28 players this season. Golden State trailed, 78-70, entering the fourth quarter and 93-84 with 5:09 left after three free throws by Matt Barnes, who had 24 points and 15 rebounds.  
“We came out just kind of blah,” said Curry, who made just 3-of-14 three-pointers. “We had to play with purpose, play with passion and that’s what we did down the stretch.”  
Three-pointers by Curry and Andre Iguodala and a layup by Green made it a one-point game before consecutive baskets by Zach Randolph rebuilt the lead to 97-92 with 2:24 remaining. But Green had a three-point play and Harrison Barnes drilled a three-pointer to give the Warriors a 98-97 edge with 1:13 to play.  
Two free throws by Matt Barnes gave Memphis its last lead before Green tipped in a miss by Curry. Green forced a miss by Randolph and Klay Thompson bothered Lance Stephenson on a pair of shots as Golden State survived.  
“Tonight was a weird one,” said Curry, who had 17 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. “We couldn’t find any mojo. A lot of winning plays, on the defensive end especially. Draymond with (Randolph) in that 1-on-1 matchup, he took that challenge on. Klay on that last possession there on Lance.”  
Thompson scored 20 points and Harrison Barnes added 14 for the Warriors, whose 33 road wins tie the record set by the 1995-96 Bulls. Vince Carter scored 15 points, Stephenson added 13 and Randolph 12 for the shorthanded Grizzlies, who have lost eight of nine and are just a half-game ahead of Dallas for sixth place in the Western Conference.  
“A one-point game is always tough,” Carter said.  
Elsewhere:  
Atlanta Hawks 118, Boston Celtics 107: Paul Millsap collected a season-high 31 points, 16 rebounds and five blocks for the host Hawks (48-32), who moved into third place in the East. Marcus Smart scored 19 points for the Celtics (47-33), who fell to fourth, one-half game ahead of Miami and Charlotte.  
Chicago Bulls 105, Cleveland Cavaliers 102: Jimmy Butler scored 21 points and Brazilian rookie Cristiano Felicio added 16 as the host Bulls staved off elimination from postseason contention. LeBron James scored 33 points for the Cavaliers.  
Minnesota Timberwolves 106, Portland Trail Blazers 105: Rookie Karl-Anthony Towns scored 25 points, including the game-winning hook shot with 1.8 seconds left, to lift the visiting Timberwolves to their third straight win. Damian Lillard scored 31 points for the Trail Blazers.  
Sacramento Kings 114, Oklahoma City Thunder 112: Rudy Gay scored 24 points for the host Kings, including the game-winning free throws with one second remaining. Kevin Durant scored 31 points for the Thunder.  
Phoenix Suns 121, New Orleans Pelicans 100: Archie Goodwin scored 24 points and Bosnia’s Mirza Teletovic added 22 for the visiting Suns, who have won two in a row following a seven-game slide.

RESULTS
Portland 105, Minnesota 106
Sacramento 114, Oklahoma 112
Chicago 105, Cleveland 102
Atlanta 118, Boston 107
Memphis 99, Golden State 100
New Orleans 100, Phoenix 121