Rudy g*y lifts Memphis Grizzlies to win over Minnesota Timberwolves after 4th quarter scare – NBA Recap
An inspired performance by Rudy g*y helped the Memphis Grizzlies hold off a last quarter rally by the Minnesota Timberwolves and win the game 91-84. This was the 11th straight loss for the Wolves, who were playing without
star forward Kevin Love. Memphis on the other hand, recorded their 11th win in 15 games to move 2 games behind the 4th place Los Angeles Clippers and in contention for home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
Rudy g*y scored 28 points, 9 of which came in the final four minutes of the game. J.J Barea had a team high 28 points for the Wolves.
Both teams fought hard in the 1st quarter, with Memphis leading much of the way but Minnesota right on their tail. However, Memphis went on an 8-2 run to close the first period and take a 32-22 advantage going into the
2nd quarter.
5 consecutive points by Barea in the 2nd period brought Minnesota within 4 of Memphis, and a slam dunk by Anthony Tolliver reduced the Grizzlies lead to 2. Minnesota tied the game after two free throws by Nikola Pekovic,
and took a 52-51 lead after another free throw by Pekovic with 2:30 remaining in the half. Minnesota ultimately finished the half with a 56-55 lead over Memphis.
Things remained tight through the early part of the third, but the Grizzlies had a 14-2 run in the later stages of the period to take a 77-67 lead, which was reduced to 77-69, going into the final period.
The Wolves opened the final quarter with a 12-3 run to take a one point lead over the Grizzlies with 5:40 remaining in the game. Memphis were 1 of 15 to start the final period which allowed the Wolves to come back from an 8 point
deficit and take the lead by one, 81-80.
However, Rudy g*y took over the charge of the Memphis offense and scored 9 straight points, two short of the total Grizzlies points down the stretch, to help Memphis pull away at 91-84. Minnesota had 5 turnovers in the final few
minutes.
Rudy g*y grabbed 9 rebounds and 4 assists to go with his 28 points for Memphis. Marreese Speights added 12 points while Mike Conley had 16 points and 8 assists. Zach Randolph came off the Grizzlies bench to score 16 points and
add 11 rebounds. J.J Barea had 28 points and 8 assists for the Wolves, and Nikola Pekovic added 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Marc Gasol struggled for Memphis, scoring only 4 points off 2 of 8 shooting and grabbing 3 rebounds. O.J Mayo was also dry for the Grizzlies, going 2 of 8 from the field for his 5 points. He failed to reach double figures in points
for just the second time in 13 games.
For Minnesota, Martell Webster struggled, scoring 6 points off 1 of 6 shooting. Anthony Randolph struggled the second time in 2 games since he has been made a starter for the Wolves. He was 1 of 8 from the field for his 4 points.
He was averaging 22 points in the three games before the last two when he was made to start the game.
Memphis shot better from the field as compared to Minnesota, going 44% against 35.6% for the Wolves. The Wolves managed 30 free throws, 19 more than Memphis. They scored on 25 of those giving them a 19 point advantage in free throws.
But they were still unable to overcome the Grizzlies. Memphis led the Wolves 24-16 in assists and 11-6 in steals. They also had 5 fewer turnovers for the game.
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