Sports
Revamped Grizz flash sign of chemistry
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- Category: Sports
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11 Feb 2013
- Written by Kelley Evans
Fans were wondering how long it would take for new players Tayshaun Prince, Austin Day and Ed Davis to gel with the "grit and grind" philosophy of the Memphis Grizzlies in the post Rudy-Gay era.
With back-to-back wins at home, the Grizzlies (32-18) are getting back on track to running a tight offense and making important defensive plays that add up to wins.
On Friday (Feb. 8), the Grizzlies defeated the Golden State Warriors 99-93, sweeping the series. Despite Warriors' guard Stephen Curry's 32 points and David Lee's 26 points, the Grizzlies came out victorious. Marc Gasol led the way recording his ninth double-double of the season, with 20 points and 11 rebounds. NBA All-Star Zach Randolph pitched in 16 points and 12 rebounds, hitting his thirtieth double-double of the year.
On Sunday (Feb. 10), Memphis took down the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves for the ninth consecutive time (105 to 88).
"We were really short," said Timberwolves head coach Rick Adelman. "Our guards are really short (and) our small forwards. You got to deal with it."
The Timberwolves were without Chase Budinger, Andrei Kirilenko, Malcolm Lee, Kevin Love and Brandon Roy due to injuries and J.J. Barea did not play.
Grizz head coach Lionel Hollins pointed out ball movement that he said is getting contagious.
"Everybody is moving the ball...The whole team is just looking to make the extra play. When you make shots, assists do pile up, but I think the willingness to pass is important, and we are doing that," said Hollins. "When you look at the assists, just about everybody that played over 10 minutes had assists."
The Grizzlies finished the game with a season-high 30 assists.
Grizzlies forward Tayshaun Prince led all scorers with 18 points, shooting 8-of-8 from the field. Prince tied a franchise record for field goals made without a miss. Randolph, Day and Mike Conley each scored 16 points.
Every Grizz player logged minutes in the contest, including Quincy Pondexter playing a little more than four. He was welcomed back onto the floor by Grizz fans with a standing ovation after spraining his left MCL on Dec. 29.
"I had no intention of playing him," Hollins said. "It was a moment I thought that I could put him out there for a couple of minutes and let him get his feet wet. I liked the fact that he was out there."
Tony Allen had eight points, five rebounds and four steals.
"We had 27 deflections and Tony Allen had nine by himself," Hollins said. "He was awesome on defense. He was very under control on offense."
The Grizzlies have one more contest before the All Star break, facing the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday at FedExForum.
