Grizzlies sneak past Wolves - wolvesjr34's Dynasty

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Grizzlies sneak past Wolves

Posted on June 9, 2011 at 12:52 AM.

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Conley was player of the game in the Grizzlies 88 - 84 victory.

February 2nd, 2011. The Grizzlies came into the Target Center a team on a mission, sitting a game above .500 at 25 and 24 the Grizzlies were seeking to turn their season around and make a push for the playoffs. The Wolves were sitting pretty atop the conference with a 36 - 11 record, with very few teams truly capable of troubling them. Although the Wolves were wary of the Grizzlies, who with young athletic players in Rudy Gay, Michael Conley and OJ Mayo had the ability to match the Wolves and supersede them in a fast break style of game.

The Wolves have not been comfortable defending teams that liked to push in transition this season and they knew this game against the Grizzlies would be hard for them and it was no surprise when Memphis broke out early to lead the game 28 to 23. The Wolves fought back hard in the second period, with the help of sixth man of the year candidate Eric Bledsoe who found scoring easier than many other members of the Wolves team. The Wolves would go on to win the quarter 22 to 14 to take a three point lead into the half.

The third quarter would be deadlocked at 21 a piece as both teams struggled to find ascendency. For the Grizzlies all guns were firing with Conley setting up the offence of Mayo, Gay and Marc Gasol. Zach Randolph and Gasol were patrolling the inside, forcing the Wolves to settle for a lot of mid range and out side jump shots.

In the final quarter Kevin Love who had 17 points on the night and Isaiah Rider who had 21 both went missing as the Wolves struggled to find a way to keep pace with the Grizzlies who were enjoying pushing the pace. Jonny Flynn was working hard to find open players on his way to 17 assists, but he had trouble getting open and couldn't help his side out much either offensively, and in the end the Grizzlies managed to hold on for a four point victory after Kevin Love missed a three attempt to tie with 2.5 seconds to go. Mayo hit one of two throws to put the game out of the reach of the Wolves who were out of time outs.

Rider scored an ineffective 21 while Mayo was good with his 17 and 3 steals.

Game Notes: Eric Bledsoe scored 16 points and Martell Webster continued to struggle to get involved effectively in the offence. For Memphis Mayo and Gay both scored 17 points while Conley would take out player of the game with his 13 points and 13 assists.

Season Record: 36-12.