In a game featuring two of the top three defensive teams in the league, the Memphis Grizzlies came out on top and defeated the Utah Jazz 88-79 Sunday night at FedExForum. The Grizzlies now lead the season series 2-1.
The Jazz entered the game leading the NBA in points per game allowed (95.2) and field goal percentage allowed (.431). Although Utah only allowed the Grizzlies 88 points, Memphis’ defensive effort forced 18 Jazz turnovers while holding Utah to only 38.9 percent shooting from the field.
With 4.4 seconds left in the third quarter, Troy Daniels hit a three-point shot after a dish from Mike Conley to put the Grizzlies up nine points at 60-51. Zach Randolph’s quick hands then forced a Jazz turnover, leading to a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Vince Carter to end the quarter. With Daniels’ and Carter’s two shots from beyond the arc, the Grizzlies started a 15-4 run over the next 6:15 minutes to lead 72-55 with 5:49 left in the fourth quarter.
Conley led Memphis with 19 points and a game-high nine assists in 35 minutes. Over the past three games, Conley is averaging 21.0 points and 11.0 assists per game. Zach Randolph posted his eighth double-double and first back-to-back double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds in 27 minutes off the bench. Randolph (17,143) has passed Grant Hill (17,137) for 89th in NBA history for career points scored. Marc Gasol also scored in double figures, recording 17 points in 34 minutes.
Coming off the bench in the second half, Daniels connected on both of his three-point shots posting six points in 13 minutes. In only 16 minutes, Chandler Parsons recorded nine points on 3-of-4 shooting (.75) and 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, all in the first half.
The Grizzlies converted the Jazz’s 18 turnovers into 26 points while Utah only made 14 points off of Memphis’ 14 turnovers.
Gordan Hayward led the Jazz with a game-high 22 points and five rebounds while Rudy Gobert grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds. Hayward has led Utah in rebounding over the last 22 games. George Hill (15 points in 33 minutes) and Trey Lyles (11 points on 3-of-4 shooting) both scored in double figures.
Next Game
The Grizzlies are on the road Wednesday, Jan. 11 to take on Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena at 7 p.m. CT. Tune in to FOX Sports Southeast presented by Pinnacle Financial Partners or listen on 92.9 FM ESPN.
Key Stats of the Night
- The Grizzlies scored 26 points off of 18 Jazz turnovers. Utah forced Memphis into 14 turnovers but only converted them into 14 points.
- Memphis has won its last two games, scoring 128 in an overtime win over Golden State on Jan. 6 and recording 88 in tonight’s victory.
Key Run of the Night
- Leading 57-51, the Grizzlies hit two threes in the final four seconds of the third quarter to spark a 15-4 run over a 6:15 stretch and give the Grizzlies a 72-55 lead marking their largest of the game. Troy Daniels knocked down the first three-pointer with 4.4 seconds left and Vince Carter knocked down a buzzer-beater after a Zach Randolph steal in the backcourt. The two three-pointers also gave the Grizzlies a 10-1 advantage to close the third quarter.
Team Quotes
Player Notes
- Zach Randolph’s (13 points, 11 rebounds) has posted back-to-back double-doubles, marking the first such instance this season.
- Zach Randolph’s (17,143) passed Grant Hill (17,137) for 89th in NBA history for points scored. In addition, Randolph posted his eighth double-double of the season and his 20th off the bench as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies.
- Mike Conley had a game-high nine assists to go with 19 points. Over his last three games, he is averaging 21.0 points and 11.0 assists per game.
- Marc Gasol scored eight of his 17 points in the first quarter, equaling his total from the previous meeting with Utah on Dec. 18.
- Chandler Parsons scored nine points (3-4 FG) in just 16 minutes played. Parsons is averaging 9.5 points in 17.0 minutes over his last two games after averaging 5.6 points through his first 12 games played.
- Rudy Gobert grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds. He has led the Jazz in rebounding for 22 consecutive games.
- Gordon Hayward led the Jazz with 22 points. He has led the Jazz in scoring on 23 occasions this season and has scored 20-or-more in the same amount of games. He has scored 22 in each of the last two games with the Grizzlies this season.