76ers 76 - 89 Grizzlies
Final
  for this game

Grizzlies send 76ers to fourth straight loss

Feb 22, 2012 - 6:33 AM Memphis, TN (Sports Network) - Marc Gasol fill the stat sheet with 15 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists and five blocks, as Memphis started strong and beat Philadelphia, 89-76, handing the 76ers their season-high fourth straight loss.

Rudy Gay chipped in 14 points, O.J. Mayo 13 and Marreese Speights 12 for the Grizzlies, who have won five of their last six games.

Jrue Holiday scored 22 to lead the Sixers, who never led and fell behind by 20 after one quarter. They shot 36.5 percent.

The Sixers also were without forward Elton Brand, who didn't play due to a right thumb sprain. Andres Nocioni made his first start of the season in place of Brand and was limited to two points in just under six minutes played.

Philadelphia missed Brand's inside presence, as the Grizzlies held a 47-36 rebounding advantage. Memphis also forced 14 turnovers, leading to 24 points.

The Atlantic Division-leading Sixers struggled with their bench play, as their reserves shot 7-for-34.

"Mistakes at the wrong time, defensive mistakes, turnovers," stated Sixers coach Doug Collins. "We're just struggling mightily to try and score."

Philadelphia made just 4-of-20 shots in the opening quarter. Meanwhile, Mayo nearly outscored the Sixers all by himself as he registered eight points.

Memphis scored 18 in a row in the period, started by a layup from former Sixer Speights. Mayo's three-ball capped the rally for a 27-7 cushion with 1:51 left in the quarter.

Behind 30-10 after 12 minutes, the Sixers mounted a rally in the second. Holiday's three had the visitors within 43-40 with 2 1/2 minutes left, finishing an 18-2 push. They trailed 47-42 at the half.

Memphis' lead stood at 69-60 going to the fourth, but every time the Sixers got within striking distance the Grizzlies had an answer. Lou Williams drained a three-pointer for a 74-70 difference, but Mayo came back with a three of his own on the ensuing possession with just over eight minutes left.

The Sixers never got closer than five the rest of the way.

"Games have a way of going either way in the last six minutes no matter what the start is like," Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins said. "You have to play it out."

Game Notes

The Sixers have lost six of the past eight games...Memphis has won three straight meetings...Andre Iguodala was limited to 11 points for the Sixers, while teammate Lavoy Allen had 14 in a starting role.






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