Pelicans 04-08-15

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Photos: Grizzlies vs. Pelicans

The Grizzlies tied the Houston Rockets for the second seed in the West with a win tonight against the New Orleans Pelicans in a 110-74 victory. Memphis played its final divisional game of the regular season, finishing the season 9-7 against the Southwest Division. The Grizzlies also advance to 34-15 against Western Conference opponents.

Zach Randolph posted his 36th double-double of the season with 15 points and 13 rebounds to go with six assists. Marc Gasol recorded a balanced effort with 15 points on 6-of-12 (.500) shooting while adding eight rebounds and six assists. Beno Udrih led the second unit with 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting and added two assists.

The Grizzlies outscored the Pelicans 28-12 in the second period, including 16 points coming from the bench. The team recorded a second quarter season-high 14 rebounds and tied a season-high 18 total rebounds in the period. Memphis also shot 8-of-17 (.471) from beyond the arc after just making 1-of-15 in the previous game Saturday against the Washington Wizards.

The Grizzlies held Anthony Davis to 12 points on 5-of-9 (.556) shooting and five rebounds in 28 minutes. Quincy Pondexter posted 11 points on 4-of-7 (.571) shooting including 3-of-5 (.600) from beyond the arc.

Memphis will tip off again Friday, April 10 against the Utah Jazz to begin a three-game road trip before returning home to play the final regular season game at FedExForum.

Box Score | Discuss the game on the Fan Boards.

The Grizzlies embark on their final road trop of the regular season on Friday against the Utah Jazz. Catch the action on SportSouth and 92.9FM ESPN Radio.

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Grizzlies dominate Pelicans, 110-74

By: Daniel Carp, Grizzlies.com Contributor

Record: 42-35Standings: Eighth in Western Conference, fifth in Southwest DivisionStarting Five: PG Tyreke Evans, SG Eric Gordon, SF Quincy Pondexter, PF Anthony Davis, C Omer AsikHead Coach: Monty Williams (fourth season with team)

Fighting for the Western Conference's final playoff spot, the Pelicans picked up a statement win, handing Golden State just its 15th loss of the entire season and beating the Warriors 103-100 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. Stephen Curry, who tied the game at 100 apiece with a step-back 3-pointer in the game's final minute, could not convert on a shot to tie the game from the right wing as the buzzer sounded.

Power forward Anthony Davis scored a game-high 29 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for New Orleans. None of Davis' points were bigger than the two free throws he hit with nine seconds remaining to put his team up by three points. The Pelicans trailed by 13 points at halftime but used a 36-points third-quarter scoring outburst to claw back into the contest. Curry had 25 points and nine assists for Golden State.

The Grizzlies and Pelicans have not matched up since March 7, when New Orleans battled back from 18 points down to escape with a 95-89 win on its home court. Defensive adjustments at halftime paid off for the Pelicans, who held the Grizzlies to just 30.8 percent shooting and 17 points in the third quarter. Shooting guard Eric Gordon helped put the game out of reach, knocking down a pair of free throws with 24.5 seconds to play. New Orleans clamped down on its next possession, forcing a miss from Memphis' Mike Conley to seal the victory.

Point guard Tyreke Evans scored a game-high 26 points—with 15 coming in the second half—and added seven assists. Davis recorded 23 points and 10 rebounds for New Orleans. Grizzlies small forward Jeff Green notched a team-high 20 points, but missed a crucial free throw down the stretch.

Keep an eye on the battle at the power forward spot in this contest. Davis has a knack for rising to the occasion in New Orleans' biggest games, but it will be the task of Memphis' Zach Randolph to limit the Pelicans big man. Randolph will have his hands full with Davis' athleticism, but can the Pelicans star handle Randolph's physicality? Look for the players to trade blows throughout this contest, and whoever lands the last punch could decide the ultimate outcome.

Watch Grizzlies Radio Play-By-Play Announcer Eric Hasseltine, TV sideline reporter Rob Fischer and a special guest Kosta Koufos as they discuss everything you need to know before heading to FedExForum.

Wednesday's game has major playoff implications. New Orleans will enter play holding a half-game lead on Oklahoma City for the Western Conference's eighth and final playoff spot. Memphis is currently in the conference's third position and is a full game behind Houston for the Southwest Division lead and second seed.

Sputtering of late with a 5-5 record in their last 10, the Grizzlies could lose home court advantage with a weak finish in their final five games of the season. Memphis is just a half-game ahead of the surging San Antonio Spurs, who are winners of eight straight and currently hold the conference's sixth playoff spot.

When playing the Grizzlies this year, New Orleans has not been afraid to get physical. The Pelicans average 22.7 fouls per game in their three matchups with Memphis this year but just 18.6 per game on the entire season.

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Grizzlies vs. Pelicans: Scouting Report

Tune in every weekday home game day at 11am (CT) to watch Grizzlies Radio Play-By-Play Announcer Eric Hasseltine, TV sideline reporter Rob Fischer and a special guest player or coach as they discuss everything you need to know before heading to FedExForum.

Tuning in to the game at home? Find your channel.

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Grizzlies Game Day Live: MEMvNOP

Find out what Coach Joerger has to say about the game during our live post-game press conference which takes place approximately 10-15 minutes after the final buzzer.

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Postgame press conference: MEMvNOP

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Pelicans 04‑08‑15

Photos: Grizzlies vs. Pelicans

Grizzlies dominate Pelicans, 110-74

Grizzlies vs. Pelicans: Scouting Report

Grizzlies Game Day Live: MEMvNOP

Postgame press conference: MEMvNOP