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 Defeating the Sacramento Kings 97-83 Monday night at FedExForum, the
Grizzlies snapped a three-game losing streak and perhaps took a step
toward finding the team that played so well before the All-Star
break but that has been little more than a .500 team (12-10) after
the break.
"It's good to win," said center Marc Gasol, who had a full, if
unconventional, stat line of eight points, 11 rebounds, six assists,
three steals and a block. "It's good to win."
The Grizzlies had lost three straight games by double-digit margins
-- at home to Cleveland and Golden State and at San Antonio in a
span of five days. They looked little like themselves, especially in
losing by 22 to the Cavs and by 23 to the Warriors.
On Monday night, Memphis (51-24) got well against the Kings (26-47),
as Sacramento played without All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins, who
was rested.
"We played Memphis Grizzlies basketball, which is defense," said
Kosta Koufos, who is Gasol's backup, and who pulled down a
season-high 12 rebounds, scored eight points and had three of the
team's season-high 11 blocks. "It's been a tough stretch, but we
can't make excuses."
Kings forward Rudy Gay scored a game-high 24 points but his night
ended with 2:23 left in the third quarter when he collided with
Gasol going for a loose ball. Gasol's arm caught Gay in the side of
the head, and Gay fell to the floor and stayed there for a couple of
minutes before walking back to the locker room. After the game,
Kings coach George Karl said Gay had a concussion.
"For him to play again, he has to pass some tests," Karl said.
Memphis led 75-64 going into the fourth quarter and maintained a
double-digit lead most of the way. The Kings never drew closer than
78-70, which they achieved at the 9:04 mark on a 3-pointer from
forward Omri Casspi (seven points).
Point guard Mike Conley led Memphis with 18 points. Forward Jeff
Green scored 16 points for Memphis with four rebounds and four
assists, and power forward Zach Randolph had 15 points with seven
rebounds and three assists. Guard Courtney Lee chipped in 10 points
and Vince Carter scored nine points and was 3-for-6 from 3-point
range.
"I thought Memphis was a very hungry team," Karl said. "They knew
they were in a bad place after three tough losses and they played
with a lot of pride."
They also slipped back into first place in the Southwest Division, a
half-game ahead of Houston.
Memphis shot 45.8 percent from the floor (38 for 83). The Kings shot
40.7 percent (33 for 81).
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The Grizzlies held the advantage on the boards (45-41) and on points
in the paint (44-40). They won fast-break points 15-10.
Memphis coach Dave Joerger said that during the losing streak, the
Grizzlies got away from their defensive principles.
"Things that are happening against some of those big teams is
frustrating," Joerger said. "We are having some breakdowns on the
defensive end. It's not that we aren't trying hard; we just can't
figure out how to get out of this right now. We've started making up
our own system and plays defensively."
Offensively, Memphis handed out 23 assists on the 38 made field
goals. The ball movement was better.
"It gives everybody a chance to get a feel," Gasol said. "It's a lot
less predictable. It gets contagious. It's the way we should always
play."
Guard Ray McCallum finished with 12 points and forward Derrick
Williams had 10 points and five rebounds off the bench for the
Kings. Sacramento gave up 19 points on its 15 turnovers.
"We want to win the last 10 or 12 games that we have," Williams
said. "Coach is really big on that."
It also would be quite a trick, given that the Kings only have nine
games left in their season.
NOTES: Memphis swingman Tony Allen remains sidelined with a strained
left hamstring. "There is no timetable for his return," coach Dave
Joerger said. ... Kings C DeMarcus Cousins was rested. Cousins is
averaging 24.1 points (fifth in the NBA) and 12.4 rebounds (third in
the NBA). "It gives me an opportunity to experiment a little bit
(with lineups)," coach George Karl said. ... Former Grizzlies F Rudy
Gay scored 28 points in the last matchup against Memphis, his
highest total against his former team.
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