Grizzlies 89, Lakers 86
LOS ANGELES -- Memphis forward Zach Randolph delivered some crucial buckets down the stretch, allowing the Grizzlies to shake the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.
Randolph scored 14 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter as Memphis earned an 89-86 victory over the Lakers before a sellout crowd of 18,997 at Staples Center.
Forward Marc Gasol finished with 18 points, eight rebounds and three blocks as Memphis (4-5) handed the Lakers (4-7) their fourth setback in five games.
Guard Tony Allen added 12 points and point guard Mike Conley scored 11.
Guard Jodie Meeks, who led the Lakers with 25 points, hit a 3-pointer with 90 seconds left in the game to pull Los Angeles to within 85-84, but guard Steve Blake missed a jumper that would have given it a lead with about 40 seconds remaining.
Randolph, who also grabbed 11 rebounds, answered with a runner in the lane, giving the Grizzlies an 87-84 lead with 16.4 seconds left, which turned out to be the difference.
Randolph converted two free throws with 8.6 seconds left for an 89-84 lead after another Blake missed shot sealed it for Memphis.
Reserve guard Nick Young had 18 points for the Lakers, while forward Pau Gasol scored 10 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, but suffered through another tough shooting outing, missing eight of his 12 attempts. Jordan Hill had 12 points and three blocks.
The Grizzlies led by as much as 10 in the second quarter, but the Lakers rallied as Memphis struggled offensively in the final four minutes of the half. Memphis held a 40-34 lead after Randolph hit a jump hook with 3:49 left, but failed to score again.
Young scored six of his 12 first-half points late in the quarter, including a pull-up jumper with 5.9 seconds remaining, tying the score at 40 at the half.
Meeks, who had 12 points in the third, gave Los Angeles a 62-61 lead on a 3-pointer late in the quarter. Forward Chris Kaman added a bucket and a dunk for a 66-61 advantage before Marc Gasol hit two free throws, cutting the deficit to 66-63 heading into the fourth.
NOTES: SG Kobe Bryant's return isn't expected before the end of November, Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni said Friday. Then D'Antoni hedged his bet. "No I do not anticipate it, but I don't anticipate anything. I don't know. We'll see," D'Antoni said. Bryant participated in shooting drills during Friday morning's practice. Bryant was in the Lakers' locker room before the game but didn't speak with the media. ... Bryant got a rousing ovation from the crowd at the end of the first quarter when he appeared to present a check for $150,000 from the Lakers to the Philippines Red Cross to assist in relief efforts for victims of the recent typhoon. ... Grizzlies reserve G-F Quincy Pondexter returned after missing a game with a broken nose. Pondexter wore a black protective mask.
