Knicks make 19 3-pointers in rout of Grizzlies

[November 13, 2008]  MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- Wilson Chandler scored a career-high 27 points, missing only one of his 12 shots, and the New York Knicks made a franchise-record 19 3-pointers in a 132-103 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night.

Jamal Crawford added 25 points and eight assists for the Knicks, who shot 59 percent from the field and were 19-of-34 from outside the arc. Nate Robinson scored 21, hitting all eight of his shots, while Zach Randolph had 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Rudy Gay led Memphis with 20 points, while O.J. Mayo, who had surpassed 30 points in his last two games, scored 17. Marc Gasol finished with 16 points for Memphis, which lost for the first time at home this season.

New York broke open the game in the third period, extending an 11-point halftime lead to as many as 22. Memphis allowed uncontested shots and committed turnovers that led to easy baskets. The Knicks were never threatened in the fourth period, building the lead to as many as 32.

The Knicks shot 55 percent to take a 60-49 lead into halftime behind 13 points from Robinson and 11 more from Chandler. Mayo and Gay had 12 apiece, while Gasol contributed 10 before the break for the Grizzlies.

New York built the lead to double digits in the second quarter, going 8-of-16 from long range in the half as the Grizzlies seemed satisfied not to guard the perimeter. If that wasn't bad enough, Memphis had trouble hanging onto the ball, committing nine turnovers leading to 15 first-half points for New York.

Gasol scored inside early, but Robinson provided a spark for New York off the bench, hitting all five of his shots, including a trio of 3-pointers. That helped erase an early Memphis lead and build the Knicks' advantage to 14 in the second period.

The Knicks were 14-of-21 from the field in the third period, taking a 95-77 advantage into the final period.

Memphis did not have a bad night shooting, connecting on 49 percent of its shots, but that was not enough to overcome the Knicks' sizzling performance. Memphis shot fewer 3-pointers (16) than the Knicks made, and Memphis' 17 turnovers led to 24 New York points.

Notes: The Grizzlies have given up 100 points in last five games. ... Randolph has six straight games with double-doubles. ... Knicks rookie Danilo Gallinari, still bothered by a bad back, had an MRI on Tuesday and is scheduled to see specialists Thursday and next week. The Knicks won't have further information about his status until after those appointments. Coach Mike D'Antoni said before the game there doesn't seem to be any definite timetable for his return. "As soon as he gets well, he'll be back," D'Antoni said. "Where it leads, no one knows. ...I would think at age 20, he'll get over it, whatever it takes. At this point, I don't think anybody knows." ...The Knicks' previous record for 3-pointers was 17 against the Atlanta Hawks in 2005.

[Associated Press]

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