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Grizzlies 107, Heat 102
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — They are not as well known, but the Memphis Grizzlies have their own Big Three.
On Wednesday night at FedExForum, Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph, center Marc Gasol and point guard Mike Conley combined for 71 points, 28 rebounds and 11 assists in a 107-102 victory over the Miami Heat.
Miami forward LeBron James scored a game-high 37 points and the Heat knocked down 15 of 25 3-pointers (60 percent), but it still was not enough.
Conley scored a team-high 26 points and had six assists for the Grizzlies. Randolph finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds and Gasol had 20 points with a game-high 14 rebounds. Shooting guard Courtney Lee scored 18 points off the bench.
The Grizzlies (46-32) stayed within a game of the Phoenix Suns for the eighth and last playoff spot in the Western Conference. Miami (53-25) lost for the third time in its last four games and is now a half-game behind the Indiana Pacers for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Miami led by five when Gasol made a layup with 1.7 seconds left in the third quarter. A turnover by Heat guard Norris Cole gave the Grizzlies the ball with 0.7 of a second left. It was just enough time for Lee to hit a running 3-pointer in the corner before the buzzer, tying the score 80-80 going into the fourth quarter.
That turned the momentum as Memphis outscored Miami 27-22 in the fourth quarter. The Grizzlies shot 55.1 percent from the field and owned a 41-27 edge in rebounds and a whopping 60-30 advantage on points in the paint. The Heat shot 52.1 percent from the floor.
Miami forward Rashard Lewis finished with 17 points off the bench and center Chris Bosh scored 13 points.
Both teams shot well in the first half. The Heat rode a 9-for-15 performance from 3-point range (60 percent) to a 58-54 lead after two quarters. Miami shot 56 percent overall.
The Grizzlies shot 62 percent from the floor and Randolph led all scorers with 19 points on a perfect 9-for-9 shooting from the field, including a 3-pointer. Gasol had 10 points.
James had 16 first-half points and five assists and Bosh had 11 points. The Miami bench outscored the Memphis reserves 18-5 through the first two quarters.
Miami led by as many as 10 points in the first half.
NOTES: Heat G Dwyane Wade (strained left hamstring) and C Greg Oden (back spasms) were inactive for Wednesday’s game. Wade went through pregame drills and coach Erik Spoelstra said, “We’re encouraged by the progress he’s making. He’s getting closer.” … Grizzlies SF Tayshaun Prince remained sidelined by a left ankle sprain. James Johnson started in his place. … . Brooklyn’s 88-87 victory over the Heat on Tuesday gave the Nets a 4-0 season sweep of the two-time defending NBA champions. … Prior to Wednesday, the Heat lost four of their past five trips to Memphis. … Asked pregame if he expected an angry Heat team or one that is reeling, Memphis coach Dave Joerger said, “I don’t care. I have issues of my own.”
