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Randolph helps Grizzlies top Rockets

Jan 22, 2011 - 6:44 AM Memphis, TN (Sports Network) - Zach Randolph posted 29 points, which included a key layup with 20.9 seconds left, and grabbed 19 rebounds as Memphis slipped past Houston, 115-110, at FedEx Forum.

Rudy Gay had 22 points as Memphis snapped a two-game skid. Mike Conley had 17 points and five assists and O.J. Mayo contributed 13 points off the bench.

"We were down, but the effort from everybody was tremendous," Conley said.

Kevin Martin made 12-of-12 from the free throw line en route to a game-best 32 points for the Rockets, who had a three-game winning streak halted. Luis Scola had 19 points, while Shane Battier notched 15 points and eight boards.

Trailing by as much as 12 in the third quarter, Memphis mounted a comeback with a 12-6 run during the final five minutes. In part of that run, the Grizzles scored the last five points of the quarter with a Darrell Arthur dunk, Mayo jumper and Hasheem Thabeet free throw that cut the lead to one, 88-87, heading into the fourth quarter.

Arthur made a jumper to start out the final frame to give Memphis a brief lead, 89-88, but Jordan Hill responded with a three-point play on the next trip down the court to regain the edge back to Houston.

The two teams went back-and-forth for the next several minutes.

Randolph's reverse layup and Marc Gasol's short jumper made up four-straight points to give Memphis a 109-108 lead with 1:18 left. Then with 45.4 seconds remaining, Gay nailed two free throws for a three-point edge.

During the next possession, Martin cut the deficit to one following two makes from the stripe. However, Randolph's bank shot with 20.9 seconds left set the two teams apart for good and Mayo hit two free throws eight seconds later to preserve the win.

"They really hammered us around the rim," Houston coach Rick Adelman said. "Points in the paint they had was probably double what we had. They dominated the basket area."

In a high-scoring first quarter, Houston jumped out to an 18-8 lead following a Scola long jumper with 7:04 left. The Rockets kept the lead and ended the opening 12 minutes with a 37-32 advantage.

Memphis opened the second quarter with five-straight points to knot the game at 37, but Houston responded with a 10-2 run capped off by Aaron Brooks' three free throws. With time winding down in the first half, Martin hit a layup to give the Rockets a 67-58 lead at the break.

Game Notes

Both teams play on Saturday; Houston hosts Orlando, while Memphis travels to Milwaukee...The Grizzlies stopped a seven-game losing streak to the Rockets...Randolph recorded a franchise record-tying ninth straight double- double...Thabeet had a season-high six rebounds...Memphis went 0-for-4 from the three point arc while scoring 72 points in the paint and shooting 53.3 percent from the field...Houston made 45.8 percent of its shots.