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Grizzlies' Barnes: 'We have a chance to interrupt history'

Frederick Breedon / Getty Images Sport / Getty

With a victory on Wednesday, the Golden State Warriors can become the first team in league history to reach 73 wins in a season - a record their opponents, the Memphis Grizzlies, will do everything in their power to prevent.

"They're chasing history," Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes told reporters Tuesday. "We have a chance to interrupt history. Playing in Golden State, I know how alive that crowd is going to be, and I'm going to be very excited to be part of that game."

The Grizzles nearly thwarted the Warriors' chase for 73 wins on Saturday, but failed to hold onto a late lead as Golden State snuck by 100-99. Barnes led the charge for Memphis, collecting 24 points, 15 rebounds, and four assists in a game-high 40 minutes of action.

"They're going to be ready to go tomorrow night, so if we do not show up ready to play it is going to be ugly," Barnes said to Diamond Leung of the Bay Area News Group.

A chance to make history shouldn't be the Grizzlies' only source of motivation on Wednesday. Memphis currently sits seventh in the West, but could slide up to sixth with a victory and a Dallas Mavericks loss. Nevertheless, Memphis appears more concerned with beating the Warriors than spending time scoreboard watching.

"Tomorrow night is for history. I have no doubt we will be motivated to play," head coach Dave Joerger said.

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