Memphis Grizzlies make it to the playoffs after edging out Sacramento Kings 101-96
The Memphis Grizzlies clinched the final playoff berth in the Western Conference after squeaking past the lowly Sacramento Kings by 101-96 at FedEx Forum on Friday night. The Grizzlies will make their first trip to the postseason
after five years.
Memphis Guard Tony Allen said after sealing a crucial victory. "I could go on all day telling y'all what was going on in my head at the time. For the most part, I was just happy. ... We just have a great group of guys around us.
For the most part, we are where we want to be, and it's on us to continue this journey."
Zach Randolph truly had an impressive night with the ball as he racked up a game-high 27 points and gathered 15 rebounds to put the Grizzlies on the frontline. The highlights of the game were Memphis’ starters as they all landed
in double figures to spearhead the home team for a merriment victory. Darrell Arthur came off the bench and contributed his 10 points in one of the most important games for the Grizzlies.
Samuel Dalembert had a double-double for the visiting Kings with 17 points and 16 rebounds while Marcus Thornton scored a team-high 18 points. Sacramento displayed a great fight back in the in the last quarter however they were
outshined by the home team in the end.
The Kings Coach Paul Westphal said after the game. "We had a great chance to win, especially down the stretch in the final seconds. It didn't go our way."
The Grizzlies romped with 9-2 run in the preliminary minutes of the game and nabbed an early advantage. Thornton swiftly surged with a couple of successive blows and reduced the deficit to 1point for the visiting team. However
the starting five of the Grizzlies took the charge stoutly and ended the first quarter with 28-21 lead.
The Kings restricted the spirited Memphis to score in the starting minutes of the second quarter as Donte Greene’s blistering layup shot trimmed down the lead to 1 point again. Marc Gasol and Allen carried the action for the home
team just before the halftime and the Grizzlies sustained the advantage 46-43 as the game progressed into the first half.
Memphis starters went invincible after the halftime while Randolph led his line-up to utterly dominate the struggling Kings. The star of the night Randolph scored 10 points of his 27 in the third quarter and took the lead to 71-61.
Thompson strived to cut down the deficit and smashed two sizzling buckets however the home team sustained their momentum and procured 77-67 lead going into the final quarter of the game.
Dalembert and Green retaliated aggressively for the visiting Sacramento in the fourth period and brought down the advantage to 85-92. Thornton buried a scorching blow from beyond the arc and then came up with a blistering layup
shot to bring the score to 96-97 for the Kings with 39 seconds remaining in the final buzzer. However Randolph landed a couple free throws in the defining moments of the game to seal a magnificent 101-96 victory.
Tags: