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Kinsey helps Grizzlies post first winning streak of season

Mar 30, 2007 - 7:18 AM PORTLAND, Oregon (Ticker) -- Thanks to rookie Tarence Kinsey, the Memphis Grizzlies finally put together a string of wins.

Kinsey scored 20 points to lead four starters in double figures as the Grizzlies posted a 96-92 triumph over the Portland Trail Blazers, who wasted a huge outburst from Zach Randolph.

Hakim Warrick had 18 points and 10 rebounds and rookie Rudy Gay also netted 18 points for Memphis, which won back-to-back games for the first time since capturing five straight from April 11-19, 2006.

"It feels real good," Kinsey said. "We have been struggling to put two games together all year. With the guys that we have, it shows that all of us can play and that we will fight together until the end."

"We finally got two wins in a row," Warrick said. "To get it done on the road feels great. A lot of people are saying that we have nothing to play for. We went out there and left it all on the court."

An undrafted free agent, Kinsey's season-high 24 points were a major factor for the Grizzlies in Tuesday's 88-86 triumph over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Kinsey's jumper in the lane snapped a 90-90 tie and Warrick added a three-foot hook with nine seconds remaining as Memphis took a four-point cushion to seal the win.

"It's unbelievable the way these rookies have been coming in and playing in the clutch as well," Warrick said. "I think I'm going to get back to Memphis and get me a Tarence Kinsey jersey."

Randolph led Portland with a career-high 43 points and 17 rebounds. He is now averaging 33.0 points in four games against the Grizzlies.

"I wanted to be aggressive," Randolph said. "We didn't get the win, so it don't look good. We have to continue to play and try and finish these last games out hard."

Rookie Brandon Roy and Travis Outlaw each scored 13 points for the Blazers, who shot 43 percent (36-of-82) from the field but went 0-of-11 on 3-pointers.

"We couldn't pull it out. They made the plays when they had to," Randolph said. "It's frustrating. We are trying to get better than last year. We need wins like this."