الصفحات

Randolph, Allen help put Memphis Grizzlies over the top late against Thunder, 110-105

احدث اجدد واروع واجمل واشيك Randolph, Allen help put Memphis Grizzlies over the top late against Thunder, 110-105

With the game hanging in the balance, the Grizzlies threw the ball inside to Zach Randolph and benefited from his veteran savvy as much as a number of important, fourth-quarter baskets.

With the game seesawing, the Griz depended on Tony Allen for dynamic defensive plays, clutch free throws and uncharacteristic marksmanship from beyond the 3-point arc.

Whether the Griz have truly figured out recurring issues with consistency remains to be seen, but their poise and maturity were on display Tuesday night throughout a 110-105 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in FedExForum.

Memphis, playing without top reserve O.J. Mayo due to bronchitis, earned its second straight victory over a quality Western Conference opponent. A couple of days after blowing out the Los Angeles Lakers on the road, the Griz were responsible for the Thunder's losing back-to-back games for just the second time this season.

"It was a good, tough, hard NBA battle," Griz coach Lionel Hollins said. "I don't know if we're learning … but tonight there weren't a lot of letdowns. They showed a lot of toughness and a lot of fortitude that's been lacking."

Randolph provided his usual strength in the form of 31 points and 16 rebounds. He tossed in 13 fourth-quarter points, including six free throws in the final three minutes.

Allen added his typical defensive intensity in an effort that was bolstered by a season-high 19 points to go with three steals.

"We just tried the make a statement on the defensive end and do it for 48 minutes," Allen said. "And we did that. We had to do it as a collective unit. We're starting to get things done."

Both teams shot 51 percent, and the Thunder amassed 31 fast-break points. The Griz countered those transition baskets by overpowering the Thunder in the paint, and getting much-needed scoring from Allen.

After missing several layups early, Allen delivered big baskets late with Mayo and rookie Xavier Henry (sore right knee) sitting out. Allen's two 3-pointers in the final quarter helped keep the Thunder at arm's length.

Allen even looked astonished when his last long-range dagger beat the shot clock and gave the Griz a 104-99 advantage with 1:21 remaining. Allen entered the game with just one 3-pointer on the season.

Ahead 106-103 with 25 seconds left, center Marc Gasol had a chance to seal the win but missed two free throws. After Thunder guard Russell Westbrook's layup cut the Grizzlies' lead to a point, Allen made the score 108-105 with two free throws.

Memphis breathed a sigh of relief when Kevin Durant's 3-point attempt to tie the score smacked against the side of the backboard.

Randolph's two free throws accounted for the final score.

"It was a tough loss. We played a team that's playing good basketball right now," Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. "We couldn't get important stops that we wanted to get late in the game."

Durant and Westbrook each scored 28 points for Oklahoma City, which also got 17 off the bench from James Harden. However, Memphis enjoyed more offensive balance. Rudy Gay added 27 points for the Griz, who also controlled the boards with a 42-31 advantage.

"That's our strength," Hollins said. "We exhibited our strength, and that's something we didn't do earlier in the season."

Both teams exchanged runs in the second half. The Griz, though, never trailed again after Mike Conley's 20-foot shot tied the score at 89 with 7:19 left. The teams were tied at 55 by halftime even though the Griz held an early 10-point advantage.

"We're building," Randolph said. "We beat another good team and we've just got to keep building."

Tip-in: For the second straight year, Randolph has donated funds to assist with the payment of utilities for 100 Memphis families who were behind on their bills. "The Memphis community has embraced me as their own since the moment I came here, and providing utilities to those less fortunate gives me a chance to give back to the place that I call home," Randolph said. "Hopefully this will give these families the opportunity to recover from whatever situation they are in and stay warm in the cold winter months."

Grizzlies' next game

Who: Utah Jazz

When, where: 7 p.m. Friday, FedExForum

TV, radio: SportSouth, WRBO-FM 103.5

— Ronald Tillery: 529-2353

...

المشاركات الشائعة