Grizzlies on a Roll

On last Thursday the Grizzlies rested three of their starters against the Washington Wizards and tonight the Denver Nuggets rested three of their starters against the Grizzlies.  Mike Conley sits Jameer Nelson and the Denver Nuggets put up a good fight but still ended up losing to the Grizzlies 92-81.

Tony Allen does not start tonight but he comes into the game fairly early.  From the time he stands from his seat on the bench, the dynamic of the game changed.  This is becoming known as the Tony Allen effect.  He fights for rebounds, he chases down loose balls, and he handles the tough defensive assignments.

Four Grizzlies score in double figures.  Zach Randolph leads the way with 21 points and 16 rebounds.  This marks his 34th double double and his 16th 20-10 game of the season.  Marc Gasol and Tony Allen each scored 14 points.  Nick Calathes scores 12 points and grabs five rebounds.

Courtney Lee scores the Grizzlies first two points of the game.  The Grizzlies maintained that lead until Denver went on a 10-0 run with 4:55 left in the game.  Memphis answers the run with a 7-0 run in 70 seconds of playing time.  This gives them a seven point lead with 2:53 left in the game.  The Grizzlies grind out the last few minutes of the game.  “We just buckled down. We hit shots and got stops. They fought hard tonight. We didn’t hit shots together as a team. We just played hard and got the stops when we need to” said Zach Randolph.

Former Memphis Tiger Will Barton now plays for the Denver Nuggets.  Barton finished the game with five points, two rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one blocked shot.  Jameer Nelson scored a season and game high 24 points.

The Grizzlies next game is tomorrow night in Detroit against the Pistons.  They return home Saturday night against the Trailblazers.