Memphis Grizzlies reduce Cleveland Cavaliers to 9 points in final period, claim victory – NBA Recap
The Memphis Grizzlies improved their season record to 10-2 on Monday night when they defeated the travelling Cleveland Cavaliers 84-78 after a tough contest. The Cavaliers matched the Grizzlies for almost three quarters of the game as Memphis were slow to start the game and did not play to their usual level. However, the Grizzlies outscored the Cavaliers 22-9 in the final period to come back in the game and pick up the victory. Zach Randolph finished with 19 points and 8 rebounds, while Marc Gasol added 19 points and 6 rebounds for the Grizzlies. Anderson Varejao led the Cavaliers with 15 points, 22 rebounds and 3 assists.
Memphis started the game hot, going on a 7-0 run to open the first period. The Cavs, however, fought back soon after and a three pointer by Alonzo Gee had the Cavaliers trailing 10-15. Varejao followed with a layup and Dion Waiters then scored two free throws as the Cavs were down 14-15. Waiters later scored a jump shot to put the Cavs ahead 22-21, and Cleveland led 27-24 at the end of the period.
Back to back jump shots by Jeremy Pargo and Tristan Thompson had the Cavs leading 36-30 early in the second period, and Varejao’s jump shot put them up 41-31 as the Grizzlies struggled to find their offence. The Grizzlies fought back through Gasol, who scored two free throws to cut the lead to 45-40. The Grizzlies trailed 42-47 at the half time break.
Cleveland tried to run away with the lead early in the third period but Wayne Ellington’s jump shot ensured that the Grizzlies trailed 52-55 only. The Cavaliers held on to the lead throughout the period but the Grizzlies came as close as within three points, and a dunk by Rudy g*y with a little over a minute left in the period had the Grizzlies trailing 62-65. Cleveland then scored four straight points in the final minute to take a 69-62 lead into the final period.
Memphis stepped up their intensity in the final quarter, starting with a 6-0 run to trail 68-69, and tied the game at 74 through back to back three pointers by Quincy Pondexter and Rudy g*y. Tony Allen then scored two free throws to give the Grizzlies a two point lead, as the Cavaliers struggled on offence. Gee’s put back dunk had the Cavaliers within two with less than a minute to play, but Jerryd Bayless scored the final four points of the game and ensured that the Grizzlies picked up an 84-78 victory in the end.
The Grizzlies shot 46.5 percent from the field and were 4 of 11 from three point range, compared to the Cavaliers who shot 40.8 percent from the field and were 4 of 16 from three point range. The Cavaliers had 8 more rebounds than Memphis at 41, but the Grizzlies were able to turn the game around in the final period, reducing Cleveland to only 9 points.
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