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Grizzlies' hot shooting overcomes Kings

Jan 30, 2007 - 5:40 AM MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) -- The Memphis Grizzlies needed one of their best shooting nights of the season to pick up a rare victory.

Pau Gasol scored a season-high 34 points as the Grizzlies rallied for a 124-117 victory over the Sacramento Kings.

The league's worst team with a 12-34 record, Memphis shot a scorching 59 percent (41-70) from the floor to snap a two-game losing streak and win for just the fifth time when trailing entering the fourth quarter.

"It feels good to win, bottom line," Gasol said. "We had a tough loss against Portland (on Saturday). We gave it away. Tonight we had to come back, execute and make plays."

Gasol showed the way, finishing 14-of-17 from the field and adding eight rebounds and eight blocked shots for the Grizzlies, who erased a 10-point deficit after three quarters. The blocks tied a career and franchise high.

"You're not going to block eight shots every night," Gasol said. "I'm long and I try the best I can. I was able to help out more tonight. Their guys don't give it up much, which gave me an opportunity, and I went after it."

Mike Miller added 27 points, including a huge 3-pointer that put Memphis in front, 119-115, with 24 seconds to play, part of an 18-5 run that sealed the victory.

Chucky Atkins started the comeback, converting a three-point play and nailing a 3-pointer as the Grizzlies scored the first eight points of the fourth to pull within 93-91.

Still, the Kings would not relinquish the lead until Atkins bulled in for a layup with 1:14 left, putting Memphis ahead, 114-112, its first lead since the opening quarter.

"We had great contributions from everybody," Atkins said. "The defense was extremely good. We limited their catches (in the paint) and we didn't turn the ball over in the fourth quarter (just twice). That was the reason why we got over the hump."

Bibby scored 23 points and Kevin Martin added 22 for Sacramento, which hit 8-of-11 from the arc in the first half but connected on just 3-of-11 after the intermission.

"Basketball is a game of runs," Bibby said. "We weren't scoring out there and we stopped playing together I think with a minute or two minutes left. The shots just weren't going in. We tried to hang in there; it just didn't work."

Lawrence Roberts pulled down a season-high 14 rebounds for the Grizzlies, who dominated the glass, 47-25.

"Obviously we were bad defensively tonight," Kings coach Eric Musselman said. "Memphis shot 58 percent from the field. They took 43 free throws to our 23 free throws - 20 more attempts than us. And then, to get beat on the glass like we did."