A Day of Remembrance and Celebration: Grizzlies vs. Pelicans Recap

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Today was the 14th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration game in Memphis.  The city of Memphis was busy today honoring the life and legacy of Dr. King through various service projects and programs held in his honor.  The Grizzlies organization partnered once again with The National Civil Rights Museum to honor three sports legends:  Spencer Haywood, Jalen Rose, and Tamika Catchings.  The day was culminated with a nationally televised match-up between the Memphis Grizzlies and the New Orleans Pelicans.  The Grizzlies have been known to lose a MLK Day Game.  Until today, they hadn’t won one since the 2011-12 season.  It was the perfect way to close out the season’s longest home stand.  They finished this 6 game stretch with 5 wins and 1 loss.

 

Game Day Summary:

The Pelicans had 9 players to play in the game.  Quincy Pondexter was inactive for the New Orleans Pelicans.  Luke Babbitt, Toney Douglas and Kendrick Perkins did not play based on coach’s decision.  Tyreke Evans did not dress due to a right knee injury.

The Grizzlies had 10 players to play in the game.  Jordan Adams (surgery) and James Ennis (D-League assignment) were inactive for the Grizzlies.  Jarell Martin did not dress based on left foot bone bruise.  Brandan Wright did not dress based on right knee surgery.  Eliot Williams, who was on a 10 day contract, was released.

The Grizzlies had 5 players to score in double digits: Marc Gasol, Courtney Lee, Jeff Green, and Matt Barnes all scored 16 points each.  Mike Conley scored 15 points.

Mike Conley and Marc Gasol both had double doubles. Conley had 15 points and 10 assists and Gasol had 16 points and 10 rebounds.

JaMychal Green only played 4 minutes, but shot 100% with 5 points and 1 block.

Jeff Green and Marc Gasol also each had 1 block.

Tony Allen, Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, and Jeff Green each had 2 steals.  Courtney Lee had 1.

The Grizzlies had 30 free throw attempts, and they connected on 23.

 

Head to Head:

Rebounds: Grizzlies led in rebounds with 40 to the Pelicans 34.

Turnovers: Pelicans had 15 turnovers to 10 by the Grizzlies.  The Pelicans 15 turnovers led to 10 points by the Grizzlies, and the Grizzlies 10 turnovers led to 11 points by the Grizzlies.

Assists:  Grizzlies led in assists with 27 to the Pelicans 19.

Bench Points:  Pelicans bench outscored Grizzlies bench, 43-40.

Three Point Shots:  Grizzlies and Pelicans each attempted 19 three pointers; Grizzlies connected on 8.  Pelicans connected on 6.

Points in the Paint:  Grizzlies led in points in the paint, 38-36.

Fast Break Points:  Grizzlies led in fast break points, 13-9.

The score was tied 14 times.  The lead changed 18 times.  The Grizzlies largest lead was 8 points; Pelicans largest lead was 5 points.

 

The Grizzlies are going to take tomorrow to rest according to Coach Joerger.  They don’t play again until Thursday in Denver.  The Grizzlies are now 24-19, and today’s win put them in the 5th spot in the West (0.5 games ahead of the Dallas Mavericks and 3.5 games behind the Los Angeles Clippers).

 

 

**Statistics from the National Basketball Association**

Carmen Patton
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