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NBA roundup: Randolph’s double-double leads Memphis
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. — Forward Zach Randolph and center Marc Gasol combined for 40 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists as the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Orlando Magic 103-94 Monday night at FedExForum.
Randolph notched his ninth consecutive double-double with a game-high 24 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Gasol finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. Reserve point guard Beno Udrih added 15 points, five assists and four steals.
Memphis (32-12) swept the season series 2-0 from the Magic and earned its eighth consecutive victory over the Magic. The Grizzlies’ last loss to Orlando was in November 2010.
The Magic (15-33) dropped their sixth straight. The streak started with the Grizzlies’ win at Orlando on Jan. 16.
Pelicans 99, 76ers 74
NEW ORLEANS — Forward Anthony Davis scored a game-high 32 points and grabbed 10 rebounds — the 26th double-double of the season — to power New Orleans to a victory over Philadelphia at the Smoothie King Center.
It was the 12th time this season Davis has scored at least 30 points, and his 12-of-19 shooting sparked the Pelicans (24-21) to their season-high fourth consecutive win. Davis, who sat the entire fourth quarter, also had four blocks and three steals.
The win marked the first time the Pelicans have been three games above .500 since the 2010-11 season. The 76ers (8-37), who beat New Orleans 96-81 at home on Jan. 16 while Davis was sidelined with a sore toe, lost for the 10th time in 11 road games. The 76ers were paced by reserve guard K.J. McDaniels with 16 points.
Thunder 92, Timberwolves 84
OKLAHOMA CITY — Russell Westbrook scored 18 points, and Serge Ibaka grabbed 19 rebounds to lead Oklahoma City to a victory over Minnesota at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
The Thunder (23-22) ended a two-game losing streak despite playing without injured forward Kevin Durant. The Wolves (7-37) lost their fifth game in a row.
With 5:24 left in the fourth quarter, Minnesota guard Andrew Wiggins drained two free throws to cut the Thunder’s lead to seven. However, Westbrook came back and knocked down a shot high off the backboard.
Celtics 99, Jazz 90
SALT LAKE CITY — Forward Tayshaun Prince scored 19 points and Boston won for the third time in four games with a victory over Utah at EnergySolutions Arena.
The 34-year-old Prince, who was picked up by the Celtics in a trade with Memphis two weeks ago, had a big first half off the bench to help Boston build a 24-point lead that proved big enough.
Center Tyler Zeller scored 14 points in a reserve role, while starters Avery Bradley and Jared Sullinger each pitched in 12 points.
Boston, which ends its six-game road trip Wednesday in Minnesota, improved to 16-27 and 3-2 on this Western trek.
Clippers 102, Nuggets 98
LOS ANGELES — Guard Jamal Crawford scored all 23 of his points in the second half, and Los Angeles captured its fifth straight victory, defeating Denver at Staples Center.
Forward Matt Barnes finished with 18 points, point guard Chris Paul had 15 points and eight assists and forward Blake Griffin added 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Clippers (31-14).
Point guard Ty Lawson scored 19 points and handed out 11 assists, while forward Wilson Chandler and guard Arron Afflalo each scored 18 for the Nuggets (18-27), who lost their seventh in a row.
