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Grizzlies beat Kings, secure playoff spot

Apr 9, 2011 - 5:02 AM Memphis, TN (Sports Network) - The Memphis Grizzlies are headed to the playoffs for the first time since 2006.

Zach Randolph finished with 27 points and 15 rebounds as the Grizzlies held off a late surge, topping the Sacramento Kings, 101-96, at FedEx Forum.

Marc Gasol scored 18 while Tony Allen added 13 for the victors. Mike Conley posted 12 points and eight assists and both Sam Young and Darrell Arthur scored 10 in the win, the Grizzlies' fifth in six games.

Marcus Thornton scored 18 to pace the Kings, who have dropped four of six. Samuel Dalembert posted 17 points and 16 rebounds while Tyreke Evans scored 16 with nine rebounds and six assists.

Memphis held a 90-78 lead with just seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter but an 12-2 Kings run, capped by a Thornton three-pointer, made it a one-possession game. The Kings kept the game close, despite failing to take a lead, and another basket by Thornton put the game at 97-96 with 39 seconds remaining.

"I was very proud of how our team played," Kings coach Paul Westphal said. "We had a great chance to win, especially down the stretch in the final seconds. It didn't go our way."

Randolph went to the line with 19.5 seconds remaining, but after making the first and missing the second the Kings had a chance. However, Sacramento missed its final three shots from the field, and after Young made 1-of-2 from the line, Randolph iced the game, and a trip to the playoffs, with 4.8 seconds remaining.

Memphis held a 28-21 lead after one, however, the Kings responded in the second, holding the Grizzlies to just 18 points on 30 percent from the field, bringing the game to a 43-43 deadlock at the break.

Randolph scored 10 of his points in the third quarter as Memphis took a 77-67 lead into the final stanza.

Game Notes

The game was delayed between the first and second quarters due to a shot clock issue on one end of the court. The clock was not working and had to be replaced with a secondary clock that was put at the baseline corner...Jason Thompson scored 15 with 12 rebounds in the loss...The Grizzlies have now made the playoffs for the fourth time in their 16-year existence -- they have never advanced out of the first round...Memphis made 24-of-35 from the line...The Grizzlies' victory officially eliminated the Houston Rockets from playoff contention.