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Grizzlies use balanced attack to beat Pistons

Mar 4, 2012 - 5:31 AM Memphis, TN (Sports Network) - Marc Gasol scored 17 points and pulled down nine rebounds to lead seven Grizzlies in double figures, and Memphis exploded for a 31-point fourth quarter to defeat the Detroit Pistons, 100-83, on Saturday.

Mike Conley contributed a double-double with 10 points and 12 assists, O.J. Mayo netted 17 points off the bench, Marreese Speights added 16, and Rudy Gay poured in 15 for Memphis, which has won four straight and eight of nine.

"We've been in a groove and we've been playing good," said Memphis coach Lionel Hollins. "We just have to continue to play and continue to attack and continue to make the plays that are winning plays, and we've done that."

Quincy Pondexter's 12 points and Tony Allen's 11 rounded out the double-digit scorers for the Grizzlies, who received 10 or more from all five starters.

Rodney Stuckey paced all scorers with 20 points and Greg Monroe donated a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Pistons, who have lost four of five.

Memphis trailed 70-69 entering the final stanza, but combined a fine defensive performance with a 17-0 outburst to put the game away midway through the quarter.

Down 78-76, Allen put through 1-of-2 free throws. Mayo followed with a three- pointer, and Pondexter netted two from the charity stripe before Gasol picked off a pass and set up Pondexter for a shot from beyond the arc.

Mayo drained another trey, and Pondexter turned a steal by Conley into an old- fashioned three-point play. Conley's layup finished off the rally, putting the Grizzlies up 93-80. They led by double digits thereafter.

"The first quarter and fourth quarter were completely different," Detroit head coach Lawrence Frank said after the game. "Especially against a playoff-tested team like that, the last six minutes of the fourth quarter are always more intense, harder, tougher, and everything you do has to be more precise. They were able to raise it another notch and we just couldn't meet it tonight."

Detroit held a 47-46 edge at halftime.

Game Notes

Mayo was 4-for-5 on three-point attempts...There were 14 ties and 10 lead changes...Memphis shot 54.5 percent (6-of-11) from beyond the arc...Brandon Knight and Tayshaun Prince finished with 15 and 13 points, respectively, for Detroit...Memphis has won five straight meetings.