Memphis Grizzlies put up big 2nd half performance to defeat the Utah Jazz at home – NBA Recap
The Utah Jazz travelled to the FedExForum on Monday night to take on the Memphis Grizzlies in front of the Grizzlies new owner, Robert Pera. And after a slow start in the first period, where the Grizzlies were outscored 18-25, they dominated the Jazz in the next three periods to pick up the game and come out with a 103-94 victory.
Marc Gasol finished with 22 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists where as Zach Randolph had 16 points and 18 rebounds on the night. Gordon Hayward had 19 points and 5 rebounds on the night to lead the Jazz in scoring.
Utah started the game sharp and took an early 12-6 lead as the Grizzlies took some time to find their rhythm. A jump shot by Al Jefferson followed by a tip shot by Paul Millsap had the Jazz leading 17-6 as the Grizzlies only managed two field goals in the first half of the quarter. A layup by Hayward later had the Jazz leading 19-7, but the Grizzlies woke up soon enough to go on an 8-0 run and cut the Jazz lead to 19-15. Utah scored the next six points but Jerryd Bayless scored a three pointer in the final minute for Memphis to have them trailing the Jazz 18-25.
A 7-2 run to open the second period by Memphis had the Jazz lead down to 2, but they managed to stay on top of the Grizzlies and a three point shot later by Randy Foye had them up 37-32. Millsap then hit a three pointer to keep the Jazz ahead by 4, but a turnaround jump shot by Randolph tied the game at 44. Rudy g*y then hit a three to give Memphis the lead, but Mo Williams hit a three in the final seconds of the half to put the Jazz up 50-47.
Paul Millsap opened the scoring for the third period through a three pointer for Utah, putting them up by 6. However, back to back field goals by Randolph tied the game at 59, and Quincy Pondexter scored the next five points for Memphis to put them up 64-61. The Grizzlies scored the next five points of the game to extend their lead to 69-61. They led 74-68 at the end of the third period.
Two free throws by g*y in the early going of the final period put the Grizzlies up by 10, and a 6-0 run later in the period ensured that they kept their lead alive even though Utah were making all attempts to get back into the game. A three pointer by Mike Conley with 2:48 left in the game gave the Grizzlies a 95-85 lead and sealed the fate of the game. The Grizzlies made their free throws near the end and came away with a 103-94 victory in the end.
Memphis ad a 51-42 advantage in rebounds but both teams shot with more or less the same efficiency from the floor. Memphis also had 25 free throws attempts compared to 13 by Utah, and scored on 22 of those attempts.
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