NBA Roundup 15th March: Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets win (Part 2)
Memphis Grizzlies 105 – Los Angeles Clippers 82
Memphis Grizzlies brought forth an uncharacteristic yet a stingy defense to restrict Los Angeles Clippers to 40 percent shooting as they cherished a comprehensive 105-82 victory at FedEx Forum.
Zach Randolph not only clutched a game-high 30 points and gathered 12 rebounds but also played a significant role in hounding the All-Star prodigy Blake Griffin, restricting him from reaching to double figures. The game marked
the first time in the short career of Griffin when he failed to reach the double digit and ended up at a season low 8 points.
Eric Bledsoe and Chris Kaman showed some confrontation off the bench combing 33 points for the Clippers. Mo Williams landed 11 points as rest of the team failed to reach a double figure mark.
The visiting team managed to put a contest in the preliminary moments of the play however they were gunned down by Grizzlies in the last three quarters.
Five of the players of Memphis scored in double figures which was the major impact they carried on the opposition. The home team romped with 29-16 run before the halftime to virtually thrash Clippers out of the game. Grizzlies
ensured their lead throughout in the second half of the game as the visiting team struggled to cope up with a massive deficit. Los Angeles Clippers mounted some retaliation in the final quarter when it was too late as Memphis Grizzles cheered a crucial win
to hold the position for the playoff run.
Denver Nuggets 114 – New Orleans Hornets 103
Denver Nuggets carried on their domination from the downtown yet again to overpower New Orleans Hornets this time for an electrifying 114-103 victory at New Orleans Arena. Ty Lawson and Raymond Felton clinched double-double apiece
to spearhead Nuggets for their third straight victory.
The Hornets didn’t make the life easy for the visiting team through. Chris Paul continued his excellent run since returning from the injury and chipped in with a game-high 27 points and 10 assists to ensure a belligerent confrontation.
Willie Green was also in the groove for the Hornets and chipped in with 18 points off the bench to provide some offensive aggression.
The Hornets who usually have a stifled defense were guilty of providing some uncontested shot which ultimately hurt them in the end.
New Orleans headed out with 13-4 run to clutch an early advantage in the game however they couldn’t sustain their momentum later one. The Nuggets clinched 58-45 advantage in the halftime.
The advent of the second half marked a procession of pin-point treys from the Bronchos. Their belligerent shooting from downtown ensured that the Hornets remained at an arm’s length.
Houston Rockets 95 – Phoenix Suns 93
A belligerent confrontation concluded in a breathtaking victory 95-93 for Houston Rockets over the shorthanded Phoenix Suns at Toyota Center. The Rockets froze watching a 3-pointer attempt by Jared Dudley in the last seconds as
the ball bounced off the rim leaving the home team in high spirits.
Kevin Martin clinched a game-high 23 while Chuck Hayes scored a career high 21 points as Houston nipped a seven game losing streak against Phoenix. Vince Carter had a team-high 21 points for Suns as he was well supported by Josh
Childress who landed 15 points off the bench.
The game had its wavering moments for both the teams however Rockets ensured their lead throughout the game. A slow start in the preliminary moments of the game resulted in a defeat for the visiting team as they were down with
11 points in the first quarter.
Phoenix bounced back tremendously from a 14 points deficit late in the second half to escalate a tie 91-91 with less than 1:21 remaining in the final buzzer. Lowry brought Houston back in the lead as Dudley failed to procure a
bucket from the downtown in the defining moments of the play and Houston Rockets ended the night with an enthralling victory.
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