The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the New York Knicks, 96-84, on Sunday afternoon
inside Madison Square Garden. The Grizzlies improved to 21-33 on the season and
snapped a nine-game losing streak. The win splits the series 1-1 on the year,
and is the first win in Madison Square Garden since Feb. 5, 2016. The Knicks
dropped 10-42 on the year and have lost 13 games in a row.
After committing more turnovers than their opponent in each of the last three
games (16.0 per game during that span), the Grizzlies turned the ball over just
eight times in the game while forcing the Knicks into 16 turnovers. Memphis also
scored 18 points off the giveaways while New York had nine.
Mike Conley led all scorers with 25 points on 52.9 percent shooting to go with
eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Conley has now scored at least
22 points in his last four games. Marc Gasol approached a double-double,
finishing with 24 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Gasol has reached 20
points 13 times this season. Justin Holiday finished with 19 points, his most in
a Grizzlies uniform, and made 5-of-10 (.500) three-pointers. Holiday has reached
double figures 27 times this season. Jaren Jackson Jr. added 16 points and seven
rebounds.
After shooting just 30 percent in the first half, the Grizzlies finished the
game going 37-for-91 (.407) overall and shot 9-for-26 (.346) from three. Over
half of New York’s field goal attempts (73) were three-pointers, where they went
12-for-40 (.300). The Grizzlies outrebounded the Knicks 10-6 on the offensive
glass, trouncing them 15-2 on the second chance points. Memphis also won in the
paint, outscoring New York 44-32 in the lane. Memphis is 9-0 when holding
opponents under 90 points.
Rookie Kevin Knox led the Knicks with 17 points. Knox has scored in
double-digits 29 times this year. DeAndre Jordan logged his 31st double-double,
finishing with 12 points and 12 boards. Mario Hezonja added 14 points and eight
rebounds off the bench. Luke Kornet added 11 points.
The Grizzlies continued to knock down timely shots in the fourth, going
10-for-22 (.455) in the period. The Knicks went on a 6-0 run midway through the
fourth, cutting the Grizzlies lead to single-digits at 86-77 with 4:04 left in
the game. Memphis held New York to just 2-of-8 (.250) three-point shooting and
one offensive rebound in the final quarter to protect the lead. Gasol in
particular kept the Grizzlies in front by scoring 16 points in the second half
on 7-of-10 (.700) shooting.
Neither team shot well in the first half, as the Knicks were 7-for-23 (.304)
from beyond the arc and the Grizzlies made just 2-of-12 (.167) threes, and both
teams shot under 39 percent overall in the half. Memphis forced New York into
nine turnovers in the half while committing just three of their own. The
Grizzlies converted six offensive rebounds in to nine second chance points,
while allowing three offensive boards and no points. Conley had 16 points and
made all five free throws in the half.
Memphis made halftime adjustments, kicking off the third quarter with a 15-3 run
from 11:29 to 7:00 (4:29 run) as they outscored New York 32-21 in the quarter.
The Grizzlies made 11-of-20 (.550) shots in the third, including 5-of-7 (.714)
triples which set a season-high three-point percentage in a third quarter.
Two-way player Julian Washburn hit a free throw at the 4:44 mark to register his
first career NBA point. Gasol had an efficient third period, scoring 10 points
to go with four rebounds and three assists. Memphis forced New York into six
turnovers during the third, conveying them into 11 points to help lead 74-62
heading into the final period.
Memphis struggled to open the game, shooting just 7-for-23 (1-6 3P) from the
floor while the Knicks were 8-for-18 (4-10 3P) in the first quarter. New York
assisted on seven of their eight field goals in the quarter. Memphis forced New
York into six turnovers (four points) in the opening period while committing
just one of their own (no Knicks points). Mario Hezonja hit a 26-footer as time
expired to give the Knicks a 22-19 lead.
The offenses went cold from beyond the arc in the second quarter, with the
Grizzlies going 1-for-6 (.167) and the Knicks shooting 3-for-13 (.231). The
Grizzlies won down low, outrebounding the Knicks 16-11 in the quarter and
outscoring them 14-7 in the paint. Memphis went a quick 7-0 run from the 1:14
mark to 15.4 seconds remaining in the quarter to go up 42-38, but Kornet hit a
three with 4.3 seconds left before half to cut the Grizzlies lead to 42-41 at
the break.
The Grizzlies return to FedExForum to play the Minnesota Timberwolves for the
second time in six days on Tuesday, February 5 at 7 p.m. CT. Come out to the
game, tune in to FOX Sports Southeast presented by Pinnacle Financial Partners
or listen on 92.9 FM ESPN to follow the action.
Fans who want to support the Memphis Grizzlies and purchase single-game tickets
can do so now by calling (901) 888-HOOP or going online to
grizzlies.com/tickets. Single Game Tickets are also available for purchase at
the FedExForum Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, ticketmaster.com, online
at grizzlies.com/tickets or by calling 1-800-4NBA-TIX. For more information on
the Grizzlies, visit grizzlies.com, ‘like’ Memphis Grizzlies on Facebook or
follow on Twitter and Instagram (@memgrizz).
Download or Update the Official Grizzlies App
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