Memphis Grizzlies edge Phoenix Suns behind Zach Randolph’s big night
The Memphis Grizzlies bagged their fourth win of the season when they defeated the Phoenix Suns, 109-99, behind Zach Randolph’s big night, on Monday 8 November at the FedEx Forum in Memphis.
Randolph, who was one of the league’s top rebounders in the past few seasons, scored 23 points and grabbed 20 rebounds for the Grizzlies, who have now won their second-straight game after
defeating the Sacramento Kings, 100-91, on 6 November.
“I think it's positioning,” said Randolph when asked about his rebounding excellence despite not being one of the tallest and athletic big men in the league. “Guys are strong and all those
guys are athletic. But that is just a little bit of it. It's about getting position and having a nose for the ball.”
The 6ft 9in forward posted his fifth 20-20 game in his career and shot a decent 9-for-16 from the floor to lead the Grizzlies balanced attack, despite playing hurt with a lower back contusion
he sustained in their season-opener.
“Zach's going to do that to a lot of people, not just us,” Suns head coach Alvin Gentry said after the game. “[He's] probably as good an offensive rebounder as there is in the league.”
Rudy g*y also had a share of the spotlight as the high-flying forward racked up 22 points and eight rebounds, while Mike Conley and O.J Mayo added 16 points apiece. Spaniard centre Marc Gasol
had 10 points and eight boards and rookie Xavier Henry added 14 markers for Memphis.
The Grizzlies cruised to a huge 18-point advantage in the final quarter before Goran Dragic spearheaded a late rally that pulled the Mavericks within seven points, 97-90, with five minutes
left in the game. However, the Grizzlies held on to their lead with back-to-back three-pointers from g*y and Conley to escape with the win.
“They held on at the end,” said Suns forward Hakim Warrick, who finished with 16 points and five rebounds. “We had an uphill battle the whole game. They made the plays down the stretch to
keep us from winning.”
Veteran forward Grant Hill racked up 19 points and 12 rebounds, while two-time MVP Steve Nash scored 16 points and dished out 11 assists for the Suns, who had a horrible 23 turnovers in the
game.
“That's 23 chances we don't get to shoot the basketball,” said Suns coach Gentry. “If we are managing our turnovers, and we've got 10 or 12 turnovers, that's 10 more possessions that we can
shoot it at the basket. Make five of them, and it is a different story. We've just got to do a better job in that department.”
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