ducks
01-22-2004, 02:03 PM
Memphis 88, LA Lakers 82
Preview - Box Score - Recap**
By WOODY BAIRD, Associated Press Writer
January 21, 2004
AP - Jan 21, 10:56 pm EST
More Photos
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- The Memphis Grizzlies' victory over Los Angeles was no snap Wednesday night just because the Lakers were missing three of their stars.
``You always have in the back of your mind that they can sneak up and bite you,'' Grizzlies center Lorenzen Wright said. ``Those guys who don't play a lot, they're going to come out and play with a whole lot of energy. We had to match their intensity.''
Memphis won 88-82, with the Lakers setting seasons lows for points and shooting percentage (35 percent).
Los Angeles, playing without the injured Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and Karl Malone, has lost three of its last four games.
``Until all of our guys get back, we can't do anything. We just have to keep playing hard,'' said Gary Payton, who led Los Angeles with 24 points.
The Lakers kept the Grizzlies in check in the early going, and Memphis did not begin moving ahead until late in the third quarter.
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Memphis came to the game ranked third in offensive rebounds, but the Lakers scored 16 second-chance points while Memphis had five.
``They don't have Shaq or Karl Malone in there and we only have a few rebounds. That stat jumps out at you as a coach,'' Memphis coach Hubie Brown said.
Overall, the Lakers held a 53-44 advantage in rebounds and a 15-6 lead in offensive boards.
Memphis got 17 points and 10 assists from Jason Williams and was led by Mike Miller with 18 points. Pau Gasol added 17 points, but was 3-for-12 from the line.
The Grizzlies have won six straight, and improved to 3-3 against the Lakers in Memphis.
Los Angeles led 46-40 at the half, but the Grizzlies scored the last 10 points of the third quarter, capped by Bonzi Wells' 3-pointer from the corner, to take a 69-62 lead into the final period.
``They dictated the tempo in the first half. You know we weren't playing our style of basketball,'' Memphis' James Posey said. ``In the second half ... we got out and got out on a break and got some deflections, some steals and some rebounds ... Then we were playing our style of basketball.''
Notes
Lakers rookie C Brian Cook had his first start of the season. Cook, from Illinois, missed the first 25 games following surgery on his left ring finger. ... Los Angeles leads the series 30-4. ... The Lakers' 36 first-half rebounds are the most by a Grizzlies' opponent. ... Memphis is 15-1 when leading entering the final period. ... The Grizzlies are 23-18 overall. Theywon a franchise-record 28 games last season.
Updated on Wednesday, Jan 21, 2004 11:51 pm EST
Preview - Box Score - Recap**
By WOODY BAIRD, Associated Press Writer
January 21, 2004
AP - Jan 21, 10:56 pm EST
More Photos
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- The Memphis Grizzlies' victory over Los Angeles was no snap Wednesday night just because the Lakers were missing three of their stars.
``You always have in the back of your mind that they can sneak up and bite you,'' Grizzlies center Lorenzen Wright said. ``Those guys who don't play a lot, they're going to come out and play with a whole lot of energy. We had to match their intensity.''
Memphis won 88-82, with the Lakers setting seasons lows for points and shooting percentage (35 percent).
Los Angeles, playing without the injured Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and Karl Malone, has lost three of its last four games.
``Until all of our guys get back, we can't do anything. We just have to keep playing hard,'' said Gary Payton, who led Los Angeles with 24 points.
The Lakers kept the Grizzlies in check in the early going, and Memphis did not begin moving ahead until late in the third quarter.
ADVERTISEMENT
Memphis came to the game ranked third in offensive rebounds, but the Lakers scored 16 second-chance points while Memphis had five.
``They don't have Shaq or Karl Malone in there and we only have a few rebounds. That stat jumps out at you as a coach,'' Memphis coach Hubie Brown said.
Overall, the Lakers held a 53-44 advantage in rebounds and a 15-6 lead in offensive boards.
Memphis got 17 points and 10 assists from Jason Williams and was led by Mike Miller with 18 points. Pau Gasol added 17 points, but was 3-for-12 from the line.
The Grizzlies have won six straight, and improved to 3-3 against the Lakers in Memphis.
Los Angeles led 46-40 at the half, but the Grizzlies scored the last 10 points of the third quarter, capped by Bonzi Wells' 3-pointer from the corner, to take a 69-62 lead into the final period.
``They dictated the tempo in the first half. You know we weren't playing our style of basketball,'' Memphis' James Posey said. ``In the second half ... we got out and got out on a break and got some deflections, some steals and some rebounds ... Then we were playing our style of basketball.''
Notes
Lakers rookie C Brian Cook had his first start of the season. Cook, from Illinois, missed the first 25 games following surgery on his left ring finger. ... Los Angeles leads the series 30-4. ... The Lakers' 36 first-half rebounds are the most by a Grizzlies' opponent. ... Memphis is 15-1 when leading entering the final period. ... The Grizzlies are 23-18 overall. Theywon a franchise-record 28 games last season.
Updated on Wednesday, Jan 21, 2004 11:51 pm EST