Grizzlies Grind Hawks 94-88
Tony Allen soars to the basket for two points against the Atlanta Hawks.
Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Memphis, TN – There were 19 lead changes and seven ties – that should pretty much say how this game went as the Memphis Grizzlies AND the Atlanta Hawks both played like they were on a mission on Sunday afternoon. After coming off a less than stellar performance and a 90-89 road loss to Minnesota that ended their eight-game win streak, Memphis wanted to start a new streak and also avenge a 96-86 loss back in early January to Atlanta. As for the Hawks, they wanted to prove to everyone that they weren’t just a one-hit wonder as they handled the mighty Golden St. Warriors 124-116 in an epic seesaw battle just a couple of nights prior. Using a late rally, called ‘The Tony Allen Effect’, the Grizzlies (38-13) outlasted the league-leading Hawks (42-10) 94-88.
Allen got in passing lanes, disrupted plays, and down right harassed Hawks shooters all evening. Once inserted into the game, the intensity and physicality of the game turned. The turning point of the game could have very well been when Allen snatched and offensive rebound away from Atlanta’s Scott and Kyle Korver. He then found an open Kosta Koufos who slammed home two points uncontested. That play was part of Memphis’ 11-2 run that put the Grizzlies ahead 82-75 with eight minutes left.
“Tony has a big impact on the game every night,” said Mike Budenholzer, Atlanta Hawks’ head coach. “He’s a great competitor, he gets his hands on loose balls, he can really be physical and he got to the offensive boards. He’s got a positive impact for them.”
Allen finished with nine points, five rebounds, a block and seemingly countless disruptive moments – thus ‘The Tony Allen Effect’. But Allen wasn’t the only Grizz that was on his grit and grind. The team as a whole did a great job on the Hawks’ inside play as well. Big men Al Horford and Paul Millsap were held to a combined 10 points on 4-of-21 shooting from the field. And the outside shooting for Atlanta was inconsistent throughout the game too. While Hawks’ Mike Scott and Dennis Shröder went 5-for-7 from three-point range, the rest of the Hawks were cold – shooting a combined 4-for-17 against the grit and grind defense. Atlanta just weren’t able to get on track against this Western Conference foe.
“I thought we wore them down a little bit,” said Dave Joerger, Memphis’ head coach. “Both teams were exhausted. It was a playoff-intensity game — very physical and I thought executing at the end of the game both offensively and defensively was huge.”
Mike Conley finished the game with 21 points, six assists and three steals to pace the Grizzlies, who remain in second place in a competitive Western Conference. Zach Randolph recorded another double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds. Marc Gasol steadied the ship with a quiet 16 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks – a double-double. Atlanta’s Jeff Teague led the team with 22 points and six assists. Reserve guard-forward Kent Bazemore chipped in with 14 points off the bench for the Hawks.
Up next for Memphis is former head coach Lionel Hollins and his Brooklyn Nets. They come to town for a Tuesday night showdown in The Grindhouse. Tipoff is scheduled for 7pm (CT).
Hawks-Grizzlies highlights:
