Gasol Block, Grizzlies Burn Suns 102-101
Grizzlies' All-Star center Marc Gasol saves game with block on Suns' Morris.
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Phoenix – Marc Gasol and Jeff Green came through in the clutch, as the Memphis Grizzlies (36-12) survived a scare from a game Phoenix Suns team that nearly snapped a personal six-game losing streak to the Grizzlies, 102-101. It was Green’s three-point play with 4.5 seconds left and Gasol blocking Markieff Morris’ last second shot attempt at the buzzer to win the game that assured Memphis’ seventh win in a row.
“We are lucky we got what we wanted and we also got stops,” said David Joerger, Memphis Grizzlies head coach. “That last couple of minutes our composure was really good. We are happy to get out of here with a win in a game where it probably should have gone the other way.”
With the Grizzlies up by nine points early in the fourth, Phoenix (28-22) managed to fight back into the game and go up by seven late thanks to the small backcourt trio of Goran Dragic, Eric Bledsoe and Isaiah Thomas. The three, though combining for 60 points, gave Memphis fits as they went on a 24-9 run to go up 101-94. However, the inability to score in the final 1:49 of the contest seemed to prove to be their demise, as that small lineup finally gave way to offensive rebounding – leaving Green and the Grizz to take clear advantage.
“I knew if he (Conley) shot it, I knew with three guards out there I would be in great position with my length,” Green said. “Once I got it, I just tried to be aggressive to the rim. I was just trying to make a play. I’d been struggling all game and I just wanted to come through for the team.”
Green’s rebound and putback off a Mike Conley missed three-pointer gave Memphis a three-point play and ultimately gave them the one point victory. He finished with 12 points on 4-of-12 shooting. Conley paced the Grizzlies with 23 points, and power forward Zach Randolph scored 19 points with 17 coming in the second half.
Memphis will remain on the road this week. Their next opponent is the Utah Jazz and that action takes place Wednesday night in Salt Lake City. Tipoff is scheduled for 8pm (CT).
Grizzlies-Suns game Highlights:
