Grizzlies beat Raptors 115-107 for first victory

Oct 31, 12:16 am EDT

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)—The Memphis Grizzlies believe they are much better than they showed in a 22-point loss in their opener.

Strong defensive intensity, better offensive rebounding and a 39-point fourth quarter Friday night helped Memphis prove it with its first victory of the season, 115-107 over the Toronto Raptors.

Zach Randolph(notes) scored 30 points to lead six Grizzlies in double figures. Marc Gasol(notes) added 19 points for Memphis, which lost 96-74 to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday. O.J. Mayo(notes) had 18 points, and Rudy Gay(notes) finished with 17 points and nine rebounds.

Mike Conley(notes) had 10 points and 10 assists for Memphis.

“We definitely were all tuned-in after that home opener,” Mayo said. “We didn’t play nearly as well as we can on opening night. We had a good practice (Thursday), then came in here and everyone was really focused, had a must-win attitude, and we showed it.”

Chris Bosh(notes) led the Raptors with 37 points and 12 rebounds. Jose Calderon(notes) scored 15 points and Hedo Turkoglu(notes) finished with 14. Andrea Bargnani(notes) had 12 points, all in the third quarter.

Memphis guard Allen Iverson(notes) missed his second game, still recovering from a partial right hamstring tear.

The Raptors were coming off a 101-91 home victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. That, coupled with Memphis’ loss to Detroit, presented the potential of a tough night for the Grizzlies. But the Raptors’ performance didn’t match their opening-night one.

“Against the Cavaliers, we played great defense,” Bargnani said. “We were able to get some stops and run our fast break. (Against Memphis) we were not able to do that.”

Bosh added: “I don’t think we underestimated this team, but we didn’t do the things we talked about in pregame.”

Memphis, which erased an eight-point Toronto lead early in the fourth, held a 100-98 edge with just under 3 minutes left before Mayo connected on a 3-pointer. Gasol followed with an offensive rebound at the 2-minute mark and drew Bargnani’s sixth foul.

Gasol’s two free throws were followed by Mayo’s steal near midcourt, leading to a breakaway dunk. That gave Memphis a 107-98 lead with 1:43 left. The Raptors got within 107-103, but Mayo’s 20-footer from the top of the key with 47 seconds remaining put the game out of reach.

“O.J. doesn’t hit many shots throughout the game, but he hits a couple of big ones late,” Toronto coach Jay Triano said. “The whole game they just wore us out inside, and they had more energy.

“It was a very hungry basketball team.”

Memphis outrebounded the Raptors 45-36, including 18 off the offensive glass that led to 26 second-chance points.

Six unanswered points late in the half helped Memphis take a 53-49 lead at the break. Randolph already had 14 points.

“It’s a good thing to watch,” Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said. “We came out and scrapped from the start. We were battling. We jumped on them.”

Memphis was shooting better early and showing more intensity on the defensive end than the season opener. But Bosh was 9 of 17 in the half for 25 points and added seven rebounds, putting Grizzlies in foul trouble and keeping the Raptors close.

Bargnani, who missed all five of his shots in the first half, scored all of his 12 points in the early stages of the third quarter. That helped the Raptors carry a 79-76 lead into the final period.

Memphis would outscore the Raptors 39-28 in the fourth to rally for the win.

The Grizzlies shot 51 percent for the game compared to 44 for Toronto. It was part of a sharp contrast from the opening-night blowout.

“We were very disappointed in ourselves, and the way we opened up the season,” Conley said. “We wanted to come out and prove a point. That this is how we’re going to play this year.”

Notes: Former Memphis coach Marc Iavaroni, who was fired midway through last season, is now a member of the Raptors’ coaching staff. Memphis holds a 15-13 lead in the series with the Raptors. The Raptors are one of only four NBA teams over whom the Grizzlies hold an edge in the all-time series. The others are the Charlotte Bobcats, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Washington Wizards. … After playing its first two games at home, Memphis hits the road for a five-game West Coast swing. Besides’ Iverson’s injury, second-year F Darrell Arthur(notes) is going to miss several months after surgery to repair his right pectoralis. The Grizzlies still are dealing with other nagging ailments to Conley, Mayo, Gay and F/G Sam Young(notes). “We’ve got a lot of nicks and bruises,” coach Lionel Hollins said. “But you’ve still got to play. It’s the NBA, and if you’re not injured and it’s just pain, you’ve go to go out and play to the best of your ability.”

Updated Oct 31, 12:16 am EDT
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Memphis at Utah

Mon Nov 30, 2009, 9:00 pm EST

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Tue Dec 1, 2009, 7:00 pm EST

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16 Comments

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  1. Terry J
    16. Posted by Terry J Sat Oct 31 10:14am EDT

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    2 point game , 3 minutes to go, Jose decides to forget his teamates and take over the game and win all by himself just like Kobe.......NOT! What a clown.
  2. BigBadBills
    15. Posted by BigBadBills Sat Oct 31 9:58am EDT

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    I agree with lovethegame... Raps played hard but Memphis was shooting the lights out on big plays and capitalizing on the bounces. Sometimes ZR comes out to play. Still liked what I saw from Toronto out on the court; if that's the worst we're gonna play all season, we'll be fine. Go Raps.
  3. luvthegame
    14. Posted by luvthegame Sat Oct 31 8:57am EDT

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    Funny how fans can get so bent out of shape over a win or a loss? It is game two of the season! The Grizzlies played a very tough game and made some shots...deserving of the win. ?The Raptors played hard defensively, but had a lot of trouble with the post D, and this will come around with better pressure on the basketball on the perimeter. Connely against Calderon was not a good match up as he was too quick....maybe I would have used Jack more on D against him. BUT do not forget fans! The difference maker in that game was not playing due to injury. You put Reggie Evans out there, and the Raps match up way better. As it was, the Grizzlies had the Raptors playing their style, and I predict when Evans is back in the rotation, a game like this will go in favour of the Raps, no matter how good Memphis plays! Go Raps.
  4. Richard L
    13. Posted by Richard L Sat Oct 31 2:11am EDT

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    Said too many times, when Bargnani can't make the baskets, he is a liability to the team. Just check his +/-. Good that he fouled out to take himself out anyway. Calderon and Turkoglu were non factors. DeRozen has got to play more aggressive. What does he have to lose? Raptors team is a one man show - Bosh. Triano is not using his bench and dressing the wrong guys. Game is lost because Raptors didn't play defense (allowed 39 points in the crucial 4th quarter) and probably does not know how to play defense.
  5. Gutta Chick
    12. Posted by Gutta Chick Sat Oct 31 1:25am EDT

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    See for those of u who doubted Memphis needs to open your eyes more than ever, one the of the youngest teams in the league...man WHAT ! Diverse with a sick court swag...M-town turned it upside down at the showdown sendin toronto home wit a frown...YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! lol Geez where is Yo Gotti when ya need him lol. A.I. papi will b ready next week, we gon shut em down again ! Good game fam ! Zack was murkin em...lol..I can't be even mad at Chris Bosh he was puttin on for his city tonight 2, so big ups ;-)
  6. Abraham F
    11. Posted by Abraham F Sat Oct 31 12:05am EDT

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    Look out NBA, Memphis is one of the league's two surprise teams this year in my mind. Charlotte is the other. Even if one or neither makes the playoffs, both will in be contention. Both can beat the elite teams, but they got to beat the teams they're suppposd to beat. It also helps they got youth and athleticism. If anything, they need to look at Portland's blueprint. They lost a lot of games, but they continued to get better but look at them now. They're up and coming, and so will Memphis and Charlotte in due time.
  7. AussieG
    10. Posted by AussieG Sat Oct 31 12:04am EDT

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    Can o whoop ass handed to Raptors in Memphis. Bosh had a great game but it wasn't enough. Grizzlies win!
  8. kim c
    9. Posted by kim c Fri Oct 30 11:59pm EDT

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    should've bench Calderon
  9. Icedragon
    8. Posted by Icedragon Fri Oct 30 11:39pm EDT

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    So...the Raptors can beat the Cavs, but they can't beat Memphis? Way to go Raptors.
  10. JY
    7. Posted by JY Fri Oct 30 11:10pm EDT

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    LOL we lost.
  11. FRANK M
    6. Posted by FRANK M Fri Oct 30 6:15pm EDT

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    Toronto is going to 2-0
  12. Yeddie
    5. Posted by Yeddie Fri Oct 30 5:31pm EDT

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    Go raps go
  13. emre
    4. Posted by emre Fri Oct 30 3:35pm EDT

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    "Turkoglu, who averaged 16.8 points and a career-high 7.0 rebounds for Orlando last season..."

    You might want to check that again.
  14. Marco Y
    3. Posted by Marco Y Fri Oct 30 1:03pm EDT

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    Sorry Memphis, you lose
  15. Brett C
    2. Posted by Brett C Fri Oct 30 11:42am EDT

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    Mayo rises up at home.
  16. DUKE
    1. Posted by DUKE Fri Oct 30 9:53am EDT

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    Raps by 12
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Top Performers

 Top Performers
 Toronto
C. Bosh Chris Bosh
13-25,  37 Pts
12 Rebs, 4 Assists
 Memphis
Z. Randolph Zach Randolph
13-21,  30 Pts
7 Rebs, 3 Assists

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