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Grizzlies improve to 5-0 with win over Suns

Nov 6, 2014 - 5:53 AM Phoenix, AZ (SportsNetwork.com) - Courtney Lee returned to the Memphis lineup after missing two games with a concussion and made an impact, scoring 22 points to help the Grizzlies take a 102-91 win over the Phoenix Suns and remain unbeaten on the season.

Mike Conley scored a game-high 24 points with 11 assists for Memphis, as he and Lee both shot 9-of-14 from the field. Marc Gasol had 18 points and Memphis improved to 5-0 to build on the best start in franchise history.

"They're a good team and holding them to under 20 points in both the third and the fourth quarter, we're really proud of our guys," said Grizzlies head coach Dave Joerger. "We just played with a lot more force."

Eric Bledsoe netted 23 points for Phoenix, losers in two of three. Markieff Morris added 20 points and Isaiah Thomas gave 15 off the bench.

"We just have to execute," said Bledsoe. "I don't think we did a good job of executing."

The Suns led by six at halftime and went up by nine when Bledsoe opened the second half with a 3-pointer. The lead was eight when Lee's layup ignited the Grizzlies, who outscored Phoenix by 13 the rest of the quarter.

Lee and Conley combined for 17 in the third, nearly matching the 19 points that Phoenix scored as a team.

Gasol and Lee both scored four points to account for an 8-0 Grizzlies run early in the fourth. P.J. Tucker and Markieff Morris gave the Suns hope with back-to-back triples later in the stanza, but Lee countered with a 3-ball and the lead wouldn't dip under eight the rest of the way.

Markieff Morris scored the game's first four points and Marcus Morris dunked to make it 6-0. Memphis was forced to use an early timeout, but responded with a Conley jumper and Lee 3-pointer. Midway through the quarter, Conley tied it with a long two.

Phoenix led 27-26 after one and extended their lead to 52-46 at halftime.

Game Notes

Memphis has won five straight against the Suns ... Memphis had 25 assists on its 40 baskets. Phoenix only assisted on 13 of its 32 field goals ... Both teams scored 15 fastbreak points.