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Grizzlies dump Timberwolves, run win streak to 4

Apr 3, 2011 - 6:30 AM Memphis, TN (Sports Network) - Zach Randolph scored 22 points, O.J. Mayo had 20 off the bench and the Memphis Grizzlies never trailed in a 106-89 victory over shorthanded Minnesota.

The Grizzlies pushed their winning streak to four and moved a half-game ahead of New Orleans for the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference and a half-game behind Portland for No. 6.

"We're going to have to play the best teams (in the playoffs)," Grizzlies guard Sam Young said. "We just hope we get in a good situation where we can succeed."

The Timberwolves played without double-double machine Kevin Love, who didn't make the trip to Memphis because of a strained left groin.

Michael Beasley led the way in his absence, scoring 20 points in Minnesota's 10th straight loss. Luke Ridnour added 17 points and Nikola Pekovic had 14.

"Being shorthanded, I thought we did a lot of really good things out there," reasoned Timberwolves head coach Kurt Rambis.

The Grizzlies shot better than 51 percent for the game and went ahead by as many as 12 points in the first quarter on the way to a 29-20 lead heading into the second.

Randolph scored nine of his 22 points in the first, then seven in the second as Memphis saw its lead balloon as high as 17 on Shane Battier's three-pointer to make it 39-22.

The Grizzlies carried a 56-44 lead into halftime and Minnesota didn't get within single digits until Ridnour knocked down a three-pointer to make it 73-64 heading into the fourth quarter.

Anthony Randolph's free throw to start the final quarter capped a 12-2 run that got the Timberwolves within eight points, but Darrell Arthur scored four straight for Memphis and the Grizzlies never led Minnesota get closer than seven the rest of the way.

They led by as many as 19 points several times down the stretch.

Game Notes

Darko Milicic (sprained left ankle) and Sebastian Telfair (personal).also missed the trip for Minnesota...Memphis started a four-game homestand that also includes visits from the Clippers, Kings and Hornets...The Timberwolves (17-60) haven't won since March 11 and are just two wins ahead of Cleveland (15-60) for the worst record in the NBA.