In their first game following the All-Star break, the Memphis Grizzlies fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers 112-89 on Friday night at FedExForum.
LeBron James (7-16 FG) and George Hill (5-11 FG) led the Cavaliers with 18 points apiece. James added game highs of 14 rebounds and 11 assists for his 11th triple-double this season. Larry Nance Jr. added 15 points (6-11 FG) and Jordan Clarkson finished with 14 points (6-13 FG, 2-6 3P).
The Grizzlies started strong, opening on a 20-8 run and took their largest lead of the game (23-10) with 4:57 remaining in the first period. Memphis would lead seven (27-20) to close out the quarter before being outscored 92-62 in the following three frames.
Tyreke Evans and JaMychal Green led the Grizzlies with 15 points apiece and double-double performances. Evans (5-13 FG, 3-7 3P) added a team-high 10 assists while Green (6-11 FG) led the Grizzlies in rebounding with 10. Marc Gasol finished with 14 points and nine rebounds. The Grizzlies bench was outscored 59-24.
The Grizzlies trailed by six (71-77) with 1:52 remaining in the third period, but the Cavaliers would score eight unanswered points to close the quarter, six of which came behind two consecutive three pointers in the span of 30 seconds to close the quarter with a 14-point advantage (85-71).
Next Game
The Grizzlies now head to Miami, where they look to even the two-game series with the Miami Heat tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m. CT at American Airlines Arena. Tune into FOX Sports Southeast presented by Pinnacle Financial Partners or listen on 92.9 FM ESPN.
Key Stats of the Night
- After the Grizzlies raced out to a 13-point lead, eventually ending the first quarter with a seven-point lead (27-20), the Cavaliers outscored the Grizzlies 92-62 in the final three quarters.
Key Run of the Night
- Leading 66-65 with 5:17 remaining in the third quarter, the Cavaliers closed the frame on a 19-6 run to take an 85-71 lead into the fourth quarter.
Team Quotes
Player Notes
- JaMychal Green (15 points, 10 rebounds) recorded his sixth double-double of the season.
- Tyreke Evans (15 points, 10 assists) has made a three-pointer in a franchise-record 28 straight games. Tonight Evans broke Mike Miller's previous club record of 27 consecutive games (Dec. 13, 2006-Feb. 3, 2007).
- Evans also recorded his seventh double-double of the season.
- Dillon Brooks (12 points) has scored in double figures in 14 of his last 16 games.
- LeBron James (18 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists) recorded his 11th triple-double of the season and had achieved the feat by the end of the third quarter.
- George Hill (18 points) tied James for the game-high in scoring, marking his highest total thus far as a Cavalier.