Grizzlies tame 76ers, 104-90

Grizzlies were aggressive from the start. The Grindfather, Tony Allen returned after missing four straight games with knee soreness. This was Memphis’ seventh straight victory over the lowly Philadelphia 76ers who are now 1-29. The last time the Sixers beat the Grizzlies was in Memphis on December 26, 2012 at the FedEx Forum. The Grizzlies are two games above .500 as they move to 16-14 for the season.

 

First quarter action:

The Grizzlies went 14-of-24 from the field while shooting 58. 3 percent. Marc Gasol finished the first quarter with nine points going 4-of-6 from the field. Meanwhile, Courtney Lee found his shot with six points. Mario Chalmers ended the quarter with four assists and two steals.

 

Second Quarter

Sixers rally from 11 down and tie the game at 40 with 6:17 left before the half. Grizzlies were down to shooting 48.5 percent while the 76ers shot 53.3 percent. Philly has 24 points in the paint while Memphis has only 16 paint points.

With 5:38 left in the 2nd quarter, the 76ers are granted a clear path foul against Matt Barnes; this was two free throws for Isaiah Canaan and possession for Philly. Caanan converts on one-of-two free throws. Sixers take the lead 40-41. On three missed possessions, the 76ers had three offensive rebounds.

Grizzlies take the lead back 44-42 with a floater from Mike Conley with 3:55 remaining before the half.

Hollis Thompson hit a desperation three pointer at the expiration of the shot clock and converted to cut the Grizzlies lead to 46-45 with 3:00 minutes left in the second quarter.

Mike Conley with a dunk after a steal to give the Grizzlies an eight point lead with .23 left before the half.

 

 

Marc Gasol and Courtney Lee led the Grizzlies at the half with 11 points a piece. Hollis Thompson led the 76ers with 11 points as well.

 

 

Key stats at the half

• — The Grizzlies had seven steals. The Sixers had 12 turnovers.
• — The Sixers lead the points in the paint battle 24-20.
• — The Grizzlies had 11 fast break points while the Sixers only had four.
• — The Sixers bench out scored the Grizzlies bench 21-17.

 

Third quarter dominance

Five straight points by the Grizzlies causes Sixers head coach Brett Brown to call a timeout with 9:53 left in the third quarter with the lead of 58-49. The Grizzlies converted 21 points off of the Sixers 13 turnovers.

With 7:14 left in the third quarter, Matt Barnes hit a three pointer to push the Grizzlies lead to 12, their largest thus far of the night 65-53. The Sixers countered with a three pointer by Jeremy Grant with 6:56 remaining in the third.

Grizzlies take a 71-56 lead with a lay up by Matt Barnes. Sixers immediately called a time out.

Zach Randolph with a fancy move to convert a driving lay up and give the Grizzlies a 75-64 lead with 2:00 minutes left in the period. Randolph had 10 points and five rebounds off the Grizzlies bench. The Sixers countered with a lay up shot by JaKarr Sampson and cut the Grizzlies lead 75-66.

At the end of the third period, Mario Chalmers stole the ball from T.J. McConnell, drove the ball down the court with a nifty pass to Courtney Lee with a running layup as time expired in the period. Grizzlies take a 77-66 lead heading into the final period. THE GRIZZLIES WON ANOTHER THIRD QUARTER 24-19!!

 

Final period:

Vince Carter hit a three pointer with the assist from Mario Chalmers (6) that forced Brett Brown to call another Sixers time out with 11:44 left in the final period. After 10 straight points the Grizzlies takes a 85-66 lead.

With 4:02 left in the game, Marc Gasol dunked and extended the Grizzlies lead 97-79.

A steal by Conley and driving lay up from Barnes, the Grizzlies took a 101-83 lead with 2:04 left in the game. Grizzlies play by play announcer Pete Pranica let out his famous phrase, “Hammer, nail, coffin..this baby is over!!”

 

 

Stats of the Game:

• — Grizzlies: 12 turnovers which lead to 20 Sixers points; Sixers: 26 turnovers, which lead to 36 Grizzlies points.
• — Grizzlies: 47.1 percent, field goals; Sixers: 47.0, field goals.
• — Grizzlies: 36 rebounds, 9 offensive; Sixers: 42 rebounds, 10 offensive.
• — Grizzlies: 44 points in the paint; Sixers: 46 points in the paint
• — Grizzlies: 16 steals; Sixers: 6 steals.
• — Grizzlies: 21 fast break points; Sixers:  11 fast break points.

 

 

Player notes:

The Grizzlies had five players in double figures:

• — Marc Gasol lead all scores 19 points, six rebounds, five assists, three steals and one block. He joins Sacramento’s Demarcus Cousins as the only centers to register 19+ points, 6+ rebounds, 5+ assists and 3+ steals in a single game this season.
• — Mike Conley with 18 points and six assists.
• — Courtney Lee added 15 points, two assists and two steals. He also had a +28 in +/- for the game.
• — Zach Randolph off the bench with 14 points, 8 rebounds, three assists and one steal
• — Matt Barnes garnered his third double-double of the season with 12 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, 2 steals and two blocks.

• — Jahlil Okafor led the Sixers as he scored 18 points on 8-for-12 shooting to go along with five rebounds and two assists.
  
• — Hollis Thompson had a bench-high 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting and 4-of-6 from the three point line in 28 minutes of play.
• — Isaiah Canaan was the only other starter in double figures with 15 points and two steals.

 

Miscellaneous stat:

• — Mario Chalmers led the Grizzlies in assists (7) and steals (4).