Grizzlies vs Kings recap
If you recall the last meeting of these two teams just a couple of weeks ago, the Kings got out ahead early, and then proceeded to blow a 26 point lead in the second half.
The Grizzlies came away with the win thanks to an amazing shot by Courtney Lee with 0.3 seconds left on the clock, a shot that was heavily reviewed afterwards and ruled to be good.
The Kings organization protested and demanded the league overturn the call, claiming Ryan Hollins had tipped the ball as it came in, a request that Commissioner Adam Silver recently denied.
The Kings had something to prove tonight, and I suppose in a way they did, albeit not in the way they were hoping. Demarcus Cousins did not play due to illness, but I am not sure it would have made much difference in the outcome.
There was absolutely nothing to contest tonight, the Grizzlies held this game from wire to wire, leading by as much as 21 during the first half, when their offense was hot and firing on all cylinders.
During the first part of the second half, the Memphis offense would all but disappear, allowing the Kings to chip away at the lead, but it wasn’t enough to get the job done. The Grizzlies closed out the game on a 19-6 run, and a final score of 97-85.
When the going gets tough, feed number 50. Words to live by for this Grizzlies team.
Zach Randolph carried the offense through much of the first half after Marc Gasol ended up in foul trouble. Randolph finished with his 11th double-double of the season, and led all scorers with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists.
If Zach was the hero for the first half, his counterpart Marc Gasol certainly was for the second. Gasol finished the night with 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. Have I mentioned lately that I love this new aggressive Big Spain?
Marc had some beautiful shots in the second half, they definitely make you want to make the stanky face, h/t Brevin Knight for that glorious turn of phrase. That’s getting added to the lexicon for the season along with “and remind him he is in Memphis” by Pete Pranica and #WigSnatch.
Rudy Gay led the Kings in scoring, finishing with 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists, followed by Ben McLemore with 18 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Reggie Evans had a breakout game, ending with 17 points and an astonishing 20 rebounds. Evans has been a perennial thorn in the side of the Grizzlies, first with the Clippers and then tonight with the Kings.
Ryan Hollins tangled up with Vince Carter in the first half, earning himself a technical foul, and then a second tech early in the 3rd quarter, leading to his ejection. His impact was minimal, scoring zero points and grabbing 1 rebound in 17 minutes of play.
Last but not least, I can’t do this game justice without also mentioning the dramatics of referee Joey Crawford, who got a bit animated in calling an offensive foul on Zach Randolph. I’m just going to leave this right here.
Final score: Grizzlies 97, Kings 85
The Grizzlies will face the Rockets in Houston on 12/3, and then return home to play the San Antonio Spurs on 12/5.
Doesn't bluff, stays grinding.
Bluff City Born and Memphis Made
- Memphis Grizzlies Assistant Coach Niele Ivey Named New Head Coach for Notre Dame Women’s Basketball Team - April 22, 2020
- Notes From Grizzlies Media Day 2019 - October 2, 2019
- Memphis Grizzlies 2019 Training Camp Roster - September 30, 2019
