Grizzlies vs Hornets recap: In the mud, part 2

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“It ain’t pretty, it’s gritty.”

This may well become the new Grizz Nation mantra this season.

It took the full 48 minutes in regulation and two overtime periods, but the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Charlotte Hornets for the second time this season. There is something about this match-up that has troubled the Grizzlies both times they have played the Hornets this season.

The Grizzlies started the night off with a bang, with Mike Conley hitting a 3 for the first shot of the game. Memphis quickly scored twice more, with 3/3 shooting in the first two minutes of the 1st quarter, and would put up 9 points before the Hornets finally got on the board with two Cody Zeller free throws. The Grizzlies went on to outscore the Hornets 26-21 in the first quarter.

Unfortunately, things got a little sloppy in the 2nd quarter, and what was at one point a 12 point lead would dwindle to two by the end of the first half.

It would seem the sloppiness carried over into the second half, with a lackluster 3rd quarter that found the Hornets leading 72-69 at the end of quarter buzzer.

The Memphis offense regained some of its strength in the 4th quarter, managing to outscore the Hornets 23-20, but a tip off an offensive rebound from Gerald Henderson at the buzzer sent the game into overtime.

Quincy Pondexter drains a 3 pointer in the first few seconds, with an assist from Marc Gasol. The two teams went back and forth trading shots, with the Hornets pulling ahead as the Grizzlies appeared to lose steam.

Then along came Vince Carter, to bring the Vinsanity. Carter hit a clutch corner 3 at the buzzer to tie the score at 102 and send the game into a second overtime period.

The second overtime period got off to a slow start, with both teams looking noticeably fatigued by this point. Both teams played the foul game, but the Grizzlies came out on top, with 7 of their 11 points in the second OT coming from the free throw line.

There were a couple of ill-timed fouls by Tony Allen in the last minute, the first also landing TA a technical for protesting, the second coming on a Gary Neal 3 point attempt, giving the opportunity to Charlotte for a three point play with the clock stopped. That would cut the Grizzlies lead to four, but seconds later Mike Conley would draw a foul and head to the line for two, making both.

After what seemed like an eternity, the Grizzlies defeated the Hornets 113-107.

Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, Mike Conley and Courtney Lee scored in double digits. (20, 19, 19, 13, respectively.)

Aimee Stiegemeyer
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