The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the New York Knicks 105-99 on Wednesday night at FedExForum, stringing together consecutive wins for the first time since Oct. 26-28, 2017 when they recorded home wins over the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets.
The Grizzlies were led by Tyreke Evans, who finished with 23 points, 10 assists and six rebounds. Evans made all three of his free throw attempts within in the final 47 seconds of the contest to secure the win.
Memphis entered the contest battling not only injuries but illness, as big men Marc Gasol (illness) and Brandan Wright (illness) were sidelined. The Grizzlies got large contributions from forwards JaMychal Green and Jarell Martin in their absence. Green finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds for his fifth double-double this season, while Martin scored 17 for his second straight game in double digits. Dillon Brooks, now the lone Grizzlies player to appear in every game this season, also scored 17 points. Deyonta Davis added eight points (4-6 FG) in his first career start.
The Grizzlies led 70-60 with 9:08 remaining in the third quarter and scored eight unanswered points over the next 2:16 to gain their largest lead of the game at 18.
The Grizzlies led by as many as 18 in the third quarter, but after going scoreless the first 3:56 of the final frame, the Knicks cut the lead to as little as three (102-99) with 48.5 seconds to play. A technical foul issued to Courtney Lee awarded one free throw to Evans, and an intentional foul by the Knicks on the ensuing possession sent Evans back to the line for another pair.
Kristaps Porzingis led the Knicks with 21 points, scoring 20-plus points for the 26th time this season. Enes Kanter added 20 points and tied Porzingis in team-high rebounds with nine. Kyle O’Quinn and Lee scored 18 points apiece. Lee extended his streak of made free throws to 48, the longest in Knicks franchise history, and leads the NBA in free throw percentage at 96 percent.
Next Game
Memphis looks to close out the three-game home stand with another win as they face Zach Randolph and the Sacramento Kings on Friday at FedExForum. Tip-off is 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, which recorded a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, have won consecutive games for the first time since October 26-28, 2017.
- Memphis is 6-5 in its last 11 games after losing 19 of its previous 21.
- The Grizzlies outscored the Knicks 56-42 over the second and third quarters.
Key Run of the Night
- Leading 70-60 with 9:08 remaining in the third quarter, the Grizzlies went on an 8-0 run over the next 2:16 to gain their largest lead of the game at 18.
Team Quotes
Player Notes
- Tyreke Evans (23 points, 10 assists) notched his sixth double-double of the season and second straight. Additionally, it marks his fourth 20-10 game this season.
- Making his first career start in place of Marc Gasol (illness), Deyonta Davis scored eight points on 4-of-6 shooting to go with four rebounds.
- Jarell Martin (17 points, six rebounds) fell just three points shy of his season-high in scoring (20 @ L.A. Lakers on Dec. 27). Martin has scored in double figures in two straight games.
- Dillon Brooks (17 points) has scored 36 points over his last two games, shooting 12-of-19 (.632) from the field and 7-of-11 (.636) from three-point range… With Gasol sidelined tonight, Brooks is now the only Grizzlies player to appear in every game this season.
- JaMychal Green (18 points, 13 rebounds) posted his fifth double-double of the season.
- Courtney Lee (18 points, 4-4 FT) extended his streak of made free throws to 48, the longest in Knicks franchise history and one behind Damian Lillard for the fourth longest streak in the league this season.
- Kristaps Porzingis (21 points, nine rebounds, six blocks) had his 26th 20-point game this season and tied a season-high for blocks.
- Enes Kanter (20 points, nine rebounds) fell just one rebound shy of his 19th double-double this season.