Randolph leads Grizzlies past Suns 108-98 in OT

[December 05, 2012]  MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- Zach Randolph had 38 points and 22 rebounds, setting season highs in both categories, to carry the Memphis Grizzlies down the stretch for a 108-98 victory over the Phoenix Suns in overtime Tuesday night.

Randolph was 15 of 22 from the field and he dominated in the latter stages of the fourth quarter and early minutes of overtime. He also recorded three blocks, two in overtime, as Memphis outscored the Suns 14-4 in the extra period, with all the Suns' points coming at the foul line.

Quincy Pondexter had a season-high 16 points for Memphis, while Marc Gasol and Rudy Gay scored 14 apiece. Mike Conley had 11 points and five assists for the Grizzlies, but went 2 of 9 from the field. Gay shot 5 for 12.

Goran Dragic led the Suns with 19 points and seven assists. Luis Scola scored 16 and grabbed eight rebounds. Jared Dudley finished with 13 points and Jermaine O'Neal scored 12 for Phoenix, which lost its fourth straight.

O'Neal missed a 20-footer as regulation expired, sending the game to overtime tied at 94.

It was Memphis' second consecutive overtime game. The Grizzlies lost 99-95 at San Antonio on Saturday night.

Phoenix, which led by as many as 16, saw its lead vanish in the last 1:10 of regulation. The game was tied at 94 after Gay connected on a 12-foot floater with 15.9 seconds left, and O'Neal's shot at the buzzer was off the mark.

Conley connected on a 3-pointer to open overtime, then Randolph hit three straight buckets, leading the Memphis crowd to its feet, chanting "Z-Bo, Z-Bo, Z-Bo!"

The 10-point lead, reached on Conley's two free throws with 50.9 seconds left, was Memphis' largest of the game.

Memphis had a terrible time on offense in the first half. Phoenix was getting in the passing lanes and swatting balls away in the post. The result was Memphis committing 12 turnovers before the break.

Meanwhile, Phoenix had only five turnovers and was shooting at a 51 percent clip to carry a 52-45 lead into halftime. The Suns led by as many as 16 in the first half, the largest deficit of the season for Memphis.

No Suns were in double figures at the break, but 10 players scored, four of them with eight points apiece.

Randolph had 16 points while Pondexter added 14, going 2 for 3 outside the arc. Their play at the end of the half made the deficit manageable.

Memphis tried to cut into the lead, but the Suns wouldn't relinquish the advantage. Phoenix continued its balanced scoring with Dragic running the show and scoring along with contributions from Scola and Dudley.

Marcin Gortat's jumper near the end of the third gave the Suns a 72-68 advantage entering the final period.

Phoenix held the lead between four and six points through much of the fourth, stretching it to eight at one point.

Memphis tied the game at 91 on Randolph's rebound basket.

Then a steal by Conley led to a clear-path foul on Scola. Conley made one of two free throws for a 92-91 lead with 1:10 left for Memphis' first lead since midway through the first quarter.

Scola's 11-foot hook shot gave the Suns the lead back at 93-92 with 37 seconds left.

NOTES: Phoenix closed out a six-game road trip, its longest of the season, with a 1-5 record. . Memphis is now 5-0 with at least two days' rest. The Grizzlies last played on Saturday in the loss at San Antonio. . The Suns have trailed by double digits in 15 of 19 games this season. ... Suns F Jermaine O'Neal, who missed Sunday's game against the Knicks with a right quad strain, returned to action against the Grizzlies.

[Associated Press; By CLAY BAILEY]

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