February 3
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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The Grizzlies were due to end a funk on two fronts and, yes, that included winning at Philips Arena. Offensively impaired for several games, the Griz broke out of a scoring malaise Thursday night and won in Atlanta for the first time since 2005 with a 96-77 victory over the Hawks. "It's been rough," Griz forward Rudy Gay said after scoring a game-high 21 points to go with six rebounds and three steals. "This feels good because we're playing together. We know what we want.""
February 3
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins started this season as a big fan of having full-contact practices during morning shootarounds before games. It was a way to work through on-court issues due to a lack of off days with the 66-game schedule. But Hollins is already cutting back. "We've cut that out," Hollins said. "You don't want to do too much. We just try to watch film and do a lot of talking." Hollins also said he isn't concerned about his key players logging too much time, citing the "real-time rest" that his guys get on game nights. "Too often people look at the stat sheet and say he's playing too many minutes," Hollins said. "There's so much dead action during the game that you can"
February 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Hawks coach even issued a warning to his team, but it didn't help. Drew feared a letdown against the Grizzlies after his team's recently completed 4-1 road trip had them tied for first in the Southeast Division and second in the Eastern Conference. The letdown came in a big way Thursday night in a 96-77 loss at Philips Arena. "They are a team that is scrappy," Drew said before the game. "They've got guys that just get after it. Those types of teams in the past have been problems for us." The Hawks held a seven-point lead early in the first quarter. It was gone before the end of the opening quarter. By halftime, the Hawks trailed by 10, 53-43."
February 2
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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The Grizzlies traveled to Atlanta with good news in the standings and the infirmary. Having ended a four-game losing streak Tuesday with a win over the Denver Nuggets, the Griz learned Wednesday afternoon that forward Zach Randolph is making considerable progress and his rehabilitation from a torn right medial collateral ligament is on schedule. A magnetic resonance imaging examination indicated to team physicians that Randolph is healing as expected. He is expected to soon begin non-contact basketball drills on the court."
February 1
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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On perhaps the most important sequence of the night, the Grizzlies gave their grit and grind-starved fans a heavy dose. Tony Allen sprung from the court and met Denver Nuggets forward Al Harrington at the apex of his shot attempt. Allen came up with an emphatic block and the Nuggets were assessed a 24-second, shot-clock violation late in the overtime period. On the other end of the floor, Mike Conley chased down an offensive rebound and then Allen later extended the possession by also hitting the offensive glass. The basketball eventually found O.J. Mayo for a straight-away 3-pointer that gave the Griz a lead for the first time since late in the first period."
February 1
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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O.J. Mayo moved over to the point guard position in the first half when the time came to give starter Mike Conley a rest. Griz coach Lionel Hollins called the move strategic to go with Mayo instead of the usual backup, rookie Josh Selby. "The reason I wanted to consider that was because Andre Miller was their backup point guard," Hollins said. "That would a perfect setting for O.J. to guard Miller. Selby is so inexperienced to guard somebody as savvy as that. And it allowed us to keep Tony (Allen) on the court longer. It allowed us to play (Quincy Pondexter) a little bit more. It all played just right for us in that regard.""
January 31
Memphis Commercial Appeal
columnist Geoff Calkins
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The first question was about effort. "Did you see effort out there?" said Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins. Well, no. Unless you count the fat dancing guy. But, then, he brings it every night. Unlike the suddenly soporific Griz. Remember when this team prided itself on work? Remember when they called FedExForum the Grind House? "When we give effort, it's just for a few seconds," said Hollins. The Never Mind House, anyone?"
January 31
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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When the locker room door finally opened, Tony Allen had a blank look on his face, a statistical report in his hand and was the only Grizzly sitting at his cubbyhole. The rest of Allen's teammates were in the showers, trying to wash away an 83-73 loss to the San Antonio Spurs that drew boos from the FedExForum crowd Monday night and led to a lengthy players-only meeting. The topic of discussion was effort in yet another lethargic showing as the Grizzlies' losing streak swelled to four games."
January 30
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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From August until the end of their seasons, college football teams live in controlled, confined worlds. Almost every day is scheduled to the minute. It's all about focus and reducing distractions, a repetitive daily process involving the same familiar faces. So when a stranger suddenly invades the team perimeter for a couple of days, even invited into sacred coaching staff meetings, which is what happened the first week of this past season at eventual national champion Alabama, the players get curious."
January 29
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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The Grizzlies have gone from a team that pulverized opponents at the start with a potent offense to a bunch that is struggling to duplicate that early-game success and finish games. Unfortunately for the Griz, their best basketball seems to now come in the middle of games. But that's not good enough. After digging an early 16-point hole, the Griz battled back Saturday night to tie the score in the final 30 seconds but couldn't overtake the Suns on the final possession, losing 86-84 in US Airways Center. "Obviously, we had our chances," Griz guard Tony Allen said. "But there's no such thing as moral victories. We just have to figure out how to get it done down the stretch. It could have"
January 28
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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After the Grizzlies' road loss against the Los Angeles Clippers became official Thursday, Sam Young did what's become a regular routine this season. He was the first to clean up and exit the locker room. Young didn't linger. The third-year forward didn't play. Young is out of the team's regular rotation and buried on the end of the bench -- a development that is curious to him and Grizzlies fans. "I guess coach has new guys and he's trying to see what they've got," Young said, referring to Griz coach Lionel Hollins. "I'm being sacrificed for it, but it's part of the game, part of the business." Young's response is exactly the professional attitude Hollins expects from his players."
January 27
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Both teams were scrappy. Both teams exhibited all-out hustle. To borrow a phrase from retired NBA big man Rasheed Wallace, both teams played hard. The Grizzlies' 98-91 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night in Staples Center had a playoff feel. Or it was at least a show of two teams eager to carve out a place in an ultra-competitive Western Conference. There were 19 lead changes and 14 ties as the Griz dropped their second straight game after winning seven in a row. The Griz also suffered a third consecutive loss to the Clippers. Rudy Gay, who has averaged 21.1 points on 52.6-percent shooting in 15 games against the Clippers, led the Griz with 24 points; Marc Gasol had 18"
January 27
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Both teams were scrappy. Both teams exhibited all-out hustle. To borrow a phrase from retired NBA big man Rasheed Wallace, both teams played hard. The Grizzlies' 98-91 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night in Staples Center had a playoff feel. Or it was at least a show of two teams eager to carve out a place in an ultra-competitive Western Conference. There were 19 lead changes and 14 ties as the Griz dropped their second straight game after winning seven in a row. The Griz also suffered a third consecutive loss to the Clippers."
January 26
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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For a snapshot of just how this season already has the NBA turned upside down look no further than Staples Center. The Los Angeles Clippers and Lakers share the Hollywood arena but have always been miles apart in talent, expectations and success. But the Lakers' stronghold on the city is waning as the upstart Clippers have suddenly become the toast of the town. Consider this: Both teams met last night with the Clippers leading the Pacific Division while the Lakers sat outside the playoff standings."
January 24
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Tony Allen intercepted a pass and cruised the other way for a layup that trimmed the Grizzlies' deficit to a point with less than two minutes left in the game. About 18 seconds later, another steal led to a collective gasp in Oracle Arena as Mike Conley scored a lay-in that stunningly gave the Griz a lead for the first time since the game's opening possession."
January 24
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Grizzlies' center Marc Gasol, who led the team to a 4-0 week and a spot atop the Southwest Division standings, was named Western Conference Player of the Week for the period Jan. 16-22, the NBA announced today. Orlando center Dwight Howard won the Eastern Conference award."
January 23
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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O.J. Mayo has been the subject of many reported deals involving the Grizzlies over the past year. The reserve 6-3 guard continues to block out the would-be distractions but Mayo wants you to know about a trade he loves. Mayo recently swapped ideas with Griz coach Lionel Hollins about how to best utilize him, and the exchange seems to be working well for both parties. Hollins has given Mayo more freedom to score and the fourth-year gunner has returned the favor by giving the Griz instant offense."
January 22
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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It's getting more and more difficult for Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins to find something not to like about his team. But one area of concern is clearly the backup point guard position. Hollins wants more out of rookies Jeremy Pargo and Josh Selby. "I want them to play better defense and execute the offense better so you don't have a drop off," Hollins said. "You definitely want them to guard their man." Pargo's lack of defense is one of the main reasons Hollins made the switch to Selby. But Selby, the Grizzlies' second-round draft pick last June, frustrated Hollins in the second quarter when he struggled to defend Kings rookie gunner Jimmer Fredette. Selby watched Fredette connect on four"
January 22
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Mike Conley had more than a few choice words for the Sacramento Kings, and it was his shooting that did all of the talking. The Grizzlies' point guard had a game Saturday night that was loud and clear as far as his teammates were concerned. "When you see the point guard being aggressive, it gets everybody going because that's not really his style," Griz guard O.J. Mayo said. "Mike was like 'We're not losing this game. We're not playing around with this team.'" Conley made all seven shots he took and scored 15 of his 22 points in the first quarter, directing the Grizzlies to a 128-95 victory before a crowd of 16,562 in FedExForum. In winning their sixth game in a row, the Griz had four"
January 21
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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As sure as it is January, heavy snow fell outside The Palace of Auburn Hills. As sure as the Detroit Pistons are in a painful rebuilding phase and average a league-low 85 points, they exhibited little firepower. And as sure as the Grizzlies are on a roll, they stayed true to form. Memphis got off to another fast start, took off one quarter Friday night and then methodically put away Detroit to earn a 98-81 victory -- its fifth straight after losing three in a row. The Grizzlies' winning streak ties their season-high from last season. They'll try for six consecutive wins tonight when the Sacramento Kings visit FedExForum. Memphis hasn't won six or more in a row since it captured seven"
January 20
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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A steady diet of defense, hustle and unselfish play has the Grizzlies moving in a positive direction. And their last four opponents have found that out right from the start. It was just a week ago that coach Lionel Hollins appeared exasperated by his squad's ineptness. Since then, the Griz have four straight wins in large part due to their dominance in the first half of games. Memphis is suddenly disciplined and focused from the opening tip, and the Grizzlies aim to continue that pattern tonight on the road against the Detroit Pistons. "We're a much different team," Hollins said. "(Before the streak), we were throwing the ball all around in practice. We were taking bad shots and making bad"
January 19
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Coming off their lowest point total of season, the Hornets got some much needed help Wednesday night with the return of starting small forward Trevor Ariza, who had missed the past eight games with a groin strain. But even with Ariza on the floor, the Hornets still committed too many turnovers and had no closer down the stretch in a 93-87 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in front of 12,045 at the New Orleans Arena."
January 19
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Marc Gasol had five assists and four rebounds before he even scored a point. The Grizzlies' do-all center then scored all of his 22 points through three quarters. And when the final period called for tighter defense and clutch rebounds, Gasol put himself in that mode with blinders on. Look no further than Gasol as the poster child for the Grizzlies' selfless play as of late. His season-high point total, 12 rebounds and seven assists Wednesday night helped steer the Grizzlies' to their fourth straight win — a 93-87 victory over the never-say-die New Orleans Hornets. But Gasol couldn't have cared less about his statistical line as he stood in the visitors' locker room at New Orleans Arena."
January 19
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said it's not fair to say the organization gave up on second-year guard Xavier Henry too soon. The Grizzlies' immediate needs just became far more important than developing Henry, who went to New Orleans Jan. 4 in a three-team deal that landed Marreese Speights in Memphis. "Really, (Henry) wasn't a guy I wanted to give up," Hollins said."
January 18
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Quincy Pondexter's first impact on the Grizzlies' most recent victory came late and in the clutch. He grabbed an offensive rebound. And then another. In nine minutes during the fourth quarter of Memphis' 102-86 victory over Chicago in a Monday matinee, Pondexter accounted for three extra possessions. The Bulls were charging and Pondexter did his best to help provide a speed bump. "Quincy is a live body," Griz forward Rudy Gay said. "It's great to have guys like him out there to help keep the team together. Every team needs that guy and he's perfect for us.""
January 17
Memphis Commercial Appeal
columnist Geoff Calkins
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The game ended and the streamers fell and Rudy Gay sprinted happily off the court. He saw Grizzlies owner Mike Heisley in the tunnel. "We got you one!" Gay said. Heisley laughed. "Next to winning a world championship, the thing that means the most to me is beating the Chicago Bulls," Heisley said. "I have to go back there after the game. But they got me one. Now I can hold my head up high.""
January 17
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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There's a line of thinking that the Grizzlies, for the sake of their playoff hopes, need to keep their record at least around .500 while navigating the next month or so without power forward Zach Randolph. The symbolism couldn't have been bolder Monday afternoon as the Grizzlies celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day by rolling past the Chicago Bulls, with a 102-86, victory before an ESPN audience and sellout crowd in FedExForum."
January 16
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph is clutching a pair of black crutches instead of rebounds these days. He wears a somber expression and not that familiar game-time scowl. It has been two weeks since the Grizzlies' heart and soul suffered a slight tear of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee. The bad news is Randolph still is looking at four to six additional weeks of recovery time. The good news is he'll begin a rehabilitation regimen this week after receiving nothing but rest since the injury occurred during a Jan. 1 loss at Chicago."
January 15
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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The Grizzlies are again discussing whether to deal reserve guard O.J. Mayo. This time, Memphis has explored at least two trade scenarios with the New Jersey Nets over the past couple of weeks, according to two NBA sources. Yahoo Sports first reported the talks. The Nets are interested in acquiring Mayo for salary-cap reasons as they try to clear room to make a run at Orlando center Dwight Howard in the offseason. With that in mind, the Nets have offered fourth-year guard Anthony Morrow for Mayo. Morrow, a 6-5 shooting guard, will earn $4 million this year and is guaranteed for $4 million next season. Mayo is making $5.6 this season — the final year of his rookie contract. He has a $7.4"
January 15
Memphis Commercial Appeal
columnist Geoff Calkins
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Mike Conley flew down the court for the layup and everyone rose and cheered, but the best part of the play might have been what was happening clear back at the other end. Marc Gasol was celebrating with Marreese Speights, the Grizzlies' new power forward. He reached over and gave him an encouraging rub on the head. Speights — whose casual approach to defense had gotten him benched and then run out of Philadelphia — had started the play by altering the shot of New Orleans center Chris Kaman. Gasol had scooped up the rebound and fired the ball to Conley for the easy score. So Gasol immediately went and found Speights. To ask for more of the same. "I'm going to try to make him better," said"
January 15
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins kept imploring his troops all night to not allow their intensity to wane against a scrappy New Orleans Hornets squad. Hollins reminded his guys when they trailed after the opening period. He sounded like a broken record when the Griz built a 17-point lead. It wasn't until the final five minutes Saturday night that the Griz finally put away the feisty Hornets and left FedExForum with a 108-99 victory before a crowd of 14,983. "Their whole team plays hard. They stay after it," Hollins said, adding, "It was a tough win and an important one." The Hornets (3-9) saw what's made a difference for the Griz, who were coming off a convincing win over the New York Knicks"
January 14
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Greivis Vasquez remembers sitting in the Grizzlies' locker room with his former teammates at a time when idle chatter focused mainly on who might be leaving. "We all knew a trade was coming," Vasquez said. But the premonition didn't make the Grizzlies' Dec. 24 deal with the New Orleans Hornets any less stunning for Vasquez. Memphis shipped Vasquez, a 2010 first-round pick out of Maryland, to its division rival in order to acquire forward Quincy Pondexter. Vasquez moved on with mixed emotions. "I was shocked," said Vasquez, who returns to FedExForum tonight for the first time with the Hornets. "It hurt me a little bit because I like Memphis. But they needed big men and a small forward to"
January 13
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Rudy Gay took flight and it wasn't to deliver a tomahawk dunk during his finest moment. The Grizzlies' versatile forward caught everyone in FedExForum by surprise when he elevated and blocked New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler's dunk attempt late in the third quarter. O.J. Mayo picked up the deflection as the action shifted toward Memphis' end of the court. The Grizzlies swung the ball around until it reached Gay, who calmly buried a 3-pointer that extended their lead to 24 points. Gay just stood there, frozen in his shooting motion."
January 13
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay received some good news before his breakout game against the New York Knicks. Gay confirmed that he was told that he will be among 19 players vying for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team. USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo phoned Gay with the news. Colangelo said USA Basketball will announce all the players by the middle of this month. Gay will be part of a pool of players who will be considered for the U.S team at the London Games this summer. The final 12-man roster and six alternates must be submitted June 18, before the NBA finals will be complete. But all 19 names have to be given to the U.S. Olympic Committee by the end of January to be placed in the drug"
January 12
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay received some good news amid his recent struggles. Gay has been told that he will be among 19 players vying for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team, according to an NBA source. USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said he plans to announce all the players by the middle of this month. Gay will be part of a pool of players who will be considered for the U.S team at the London Games this summer. The final 12-man roster and six alternates must be submitted June 18, before the NBA finals will be complete. But all 18 names have to be given to the U.S. Olympic Committee by the end of January to be placed in the drug program."
January 12
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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It was another sequence tarnished by poor execution when the basketball ricocheted toward Lionel Hollins. After one bounce, Hollins cocked his leg. On the second bounce, the Grizzlies' head coach unleashed a bit of frustration. Hollins angrily kicked the ball some 25 feet in the air and onto a balcony overlooking the team's practice court. The Griz take a 3-6 record into their nationally televised game tonight against the New York Knicks, and Hollins clearly is tired of making excuses for punting away games."
January 11
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Their co-franchise player, Rudy Gay, is laboring to regain his swagger. Rebounding used to be the most reliable team strength, but now it's an area in which the Grizzlies struggle. Memphis still hasn't beaten a team that appeared in the playoffs last season — a trend that continued Tuesday night with a 100-95 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in FedExForum. But none of this is to say that the Griz are overly concerned about a 3-6 start to this 66-game regular season."
January 10
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Marreese Speights strutted around a corner in the Grizzlies' locker room to the sound of teammate Rudy Gay playfully yet constructively critiquing his game. Gay, the Grizzlies' highest-paid player, commented on how Speights needs to work harder to maximize his physical gifts. "I tell him that all the time," Gay said. To which Speights replied, "Yeah, he does. But I've got a fresh start here." Exactly."
January 9
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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It was halftime when a Los Angeles Lakers fan thought he would be prophetic. "Kobe's going to get 40," he said, "and we're all getting tacos." Kobe Bryant, who eclipsed 30 points in each of his previous three games, only managed 26 points. But the Lakers did their job defensively, giving their fans free tacos Sunday night by holding the Griz to fewer than 100 points in a 90-82 victory at Staples Center. It was the second straight game in which the Grizzlies (3-5) struggled to score without injured forward Zach Randolph. "We had to be even on the boards or hold our own, and we had to get off to a good start," Griz coach Lionel Hollins said. "We didn't do either.""