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Grizzlies close out trip by visiting Kings

Nov 6, 2010 - 2:46 PM (Sports Network) - The Memphis Grizzlies finish up a tough four-game west coast road swing in California's capital tonight against the improved Sacramento Kings.

The Grizzlies fell to 0-3 on the trek last night in the desert when Jason Richardson poured in 38 points and came up with an incredible three-point bank shot, and the tying alley-oop bucket as part of a crazy finish to regulation, as Phoenix beat Memphis, 123-118, in double-overtime.

Rudy Gay and Marc Gasol each had 26 points for the Grizzlies. Mike Conley had 16 points, seven assists and five steals for Memphis, which also received 12 points and 14 boards from Zach Randolph, who returned after missing four games with a balky back. Darrell Arthur ended with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

It was a wild conclusion to regulation when the Grizzlies squandered a chance to finish the game with a win. O.J. Mayo hit two free throws with 3.7 seconds left for a 98-94 difference, but Richardson banked in a long three-point try with 1.1 seconds to go.

After a Memphis timeout, Gay inbounded the ball off the back of Phoenix's Grant Hill. Gay got the ball and the clock ran out, but officials huddled at the scorer's table, and upon video review officials determined Gay was fouled by Steve Nash with 0.4 seconds remaining. Gay missed the first foul shot and then accidentally made the second one.

That left the Suns one last chance following a timeout. Hill inbounded the ball and delivered a perfect pass to the rim for a wide open Richardson, who directed the ball around the rim and through.

"Well we knew we worked on that play at practice all the time, the end of the game situation, and (Hill) threw a great pass," Richardson said. "He's known for great passes. He threw one to Christian Laettner to win the game (in the NCAA Tournament), so he threw a great pass up there and I almost missed the lay-up, but I'm glad it went in."

The Grizzlies (2-4) fell behind by five early in the second overtime and never recovered.

"We missed some free throws. It's a tough thing, especially with a young team when we thought we had the game won," said Grizzlies acting head coach David Joerger, who was mentoring the team while head coach Lionel Hollins and fellow assistant Johnny Davis attended their former teammate Maurice Lucas' memorial service. "And I was trying to tell guys it's not over, it's not over. Crazy things happen. And crazy things did happen."

The Kings, meanwhile, fell to 1-1 on a four-game homestand on Wednesday when Kobe Bryant notched his 17th career triple- double in a 112-100 Lakers victory.

Tyreke Evans, despite a balky ankle, had 21 points to lead a balanced scoring attack for the Kings, who had won three of their first four games to start the season. Carl Landry, Beno Udrih and Francisco Garcia each scored 17 in defeat.

Sacramento, which will finish its residency against Minnesota on Nov. 10, is also dealing with some off-the-court turmoil. Forward Antoine Wright, who was signed as a free agent over the summer, was arrested early Friday morning for driving under the influence.

"We are extremely disappointed in the situation Antoine has created for himself and the organization," said Geoff Petrie, the team's president of basketball operations. "There certainly has been no shortage of education and/or resources made available to our players in regard to these types of dangerous behaviors. We will, however, respect his right of due process at this time."

Memphis has won two straight over the Kings but has lost in 21 of its previous 23 trips to Sacramento.