Gametime: Grizzlies vs. Pistons - Mar 3, 2012

Gametime

The Grizzlies dominated the fourth quarter, outscoring the Pistons 31-13… Memphis scored 13 points off Detroit’s seven turnovers, while the bench scored 21 points in the fourth alone.

Trailing by two points (78-76) with 8:10 left in the fourth quarter, the Grizzlies rallied to score 17 unanswered points to take a commanding 15-point lead (93-78) with 2:30 left in the game.

Mike Conley posted his seventh double-double of the season with 10 points and season-high 12 assists… He surpassed his previous high of 11 recorded on Jan. 8 at LA Lakers… Conley tied his double-double total from all of last season.

Marc Gasol led seven Grizzlies in double figures with 17 points to go with nine rebounds.

O.J. Mayo scored 17 points of the bench, netting 10 points and knocking down all three of his three-point attempts in the fourth quarter alone.

Quincy Pondexter scored nine of his 12 points in the final quarter.

After a tight battle for three quarters with the Pistons, the Grizzlies pulled away in the fourth quarter for their fourth consecutive victory, a 100-83 home win Saturday. O.J. Mayo and Marc Gasol both scored 17 points and Marreese Speights added 16.

“It was just awesome. I thought that we switched, we challenged shots. We got steals. Our energy level just rose. Through all of the foul trouble and all the things that were going on throughout the game, we stored it up and on that stretch we exploded. It was fun to watch. They stayed after it. They were really focused. They were disciplined. We didn’t get out of position. We helped. We took charges. We blocked shots. We forced them into 21 turnovers and they’re not really a high turnover team.”

“I thought through the course of the whole game we played hard. We had stretches were we didn’t make shots. Then we got into foul trouble. Then we weren’t get any loose balls. It seem like everything was going their way. We would knock a ball loose; we get a loose ball foul. We knock another ball loose; they pick it up and throw it to a guy and get the three. We stayed after it and eventually we were rewarded.”

“Part of it is maturity, and part of it is the will to want to win. They’ve been together; they’ve had that taste of winning. Once you get that belief that you can do certain things and play together you can get it done. I think last night was a prime example of that too. We came from being down the second half and we just stepped it up. Even though the game went down to the wire, we got back in the game and actually won the game in the third quarter stretch in terms of playing from ahead. Tonight we did the same thing, and I just think its maturity. Having been together and understanding more and more what it takes to win.”

“Tony was in foul trouble and I wanted to save him in case we needed him. I don’t have any rhyme or reason on substituting. Dante has been playing pretty consistent minutes all along at the four spot. There are not a lot of minutes for Q when we are playing Tony Allen, Rudy Gay and O.J Mayo. When Rudy got in foul trouble it gave him the opportunity. His play was stellar both on the offensive and defensive end. He did some nice things for us, so that allowed me to have confidence to keep him in the game a little bit longer. I thought he made some big plays- driving to the basket and getting fouled, the three-point shot and coming up with a couple of rebounds and loose balls. I got on them because I didn’t think our bench played very well last night and I thought that put us in a hole. I told them that the guys that are role players and don’t play all the time must play well every night. It doesn’t mean shooting the ball well, but being where you are suppose to be defending and making the right plays. I thought that our whole group that we put in did that tonight.”

“It’s nice to have it, but we are also going to try to get some rest as well. Once we rest back up, it tightens back in terms of the number of games and days. We will have some time to work on some stuff and we had time since the All-Star Break. Those two days before the All-Star Break were huge. For the guys that haven’t been here, their defensive understanding is getting better. Their offensive understanding is getting better. Before we were just running by trying to point people out to where they’re suppose to be and not having any practice time was a big reason. Now we are getting in the groove and playing. We just have to continue to play and continue to attack and continue to make the plays that are winning plays. We’ve done that.”

“It was a tough game in Toronto. I think guys had a little fatigue in the first three quarters. For the most part we sucked it up, came out with a more sense of urgency in the fourth quarter and it showed on the defensive end, especially beating them 31-13 in the fourth.”

“I thought (O.J. Mayo) Juice responded, (Quincy Pondexter) Q came up big, Dante (Cunningham) is Dante. He has been Dante all year. For the most part, great team wins and shout out to the bench.”

“I get a massage tomorrow and I am looking forward to that. We could use the rest because we have a tough road trip coming up with a fast paced team like Phoenix and Golden State so we want to take one game at a time, get our rest, and know that we are trying to do something big.”

“It was the way it was supposed to be. It can’t wait always until the fourth quarter. We did it last night and we did it again tonight. We might get away from some teams but the more experienced teams are willing to do that.”

“Now we are going to have a nice week of practice. Only two games this week. I’m sure we can use that for many reasons.”

“Marreese (Speights) did a great job. Q (Quincy Pondexter) came big on the fourth quarter. They are very talented players. They are great.”

“I think we enjoy the ground part about it. We enjoy having to get stops or having to execute well because we remember, once upon a time, we were not very good. Now we get an opportunity. We have been together for three or four years now. We know each other like the back of our hand.”

“If you look at the standings the West is pretty bunched up. Any time you get two West coast teams playing against each other, it’s a big game. All games are must wins.”