Pelicans 91 - 103 Grizzlies
Final
  for this game

Grizzlies earn return trip to playoffs

Apr 19, 2012 - 7:37 AM Memphis, TN (Sports Network) - Rudy Gay had 26 points, five rebounds and two blocks, as the Memphis Grizzlies clinched their second consecutive playoff berth by taking down the New Orleans Hornets, 103-91.

Mike Conley added 20 points and five assists for the Grizzlies, who sit 2 1/2 games ahead of Dallas, which defeated Houston on Wednesday, for the fifth seed in the Western Conference. O.J. Mayo and Zach Randolph tallied 15 and 10 points, respectively.

"I think I'm the only one that's really excited or feeling a little emotional," Gay said of Memphis clinching a playoff berth. "I didn't get to play (in the playoffs) at all last year. It was good to be there and experience it, but I might as well have bought a ticket."

Jerome Dyson netted 24 points, while Carl Landry and Marco Belinelli each had 16 points for the Hornets, who had won four in a row. Jason Smith donated 12 points.

"He was aggressive. He played with a desperation that you see from guys who aren't in the NBA and trying to earn a spot," Hornets head coach Monty Williams said of Dyson.

A tight first quarter featured four lead changes and seven ties. Memphis took a 23-21 edge into the second.

The Hornets started the second stanza on a 10-4 spurt to grab a 31-27 lead. But Memphis kept it close and trailed 48-47 at the break.

The Grizzlies started the third period on a 26-6 run to gain control. Conley tallied 10 points during the surge, including a three-pointer with 4:11 left to make it 73-54.

Memphis took an 84-60 lead into the fourth and held on for the win.

Game Notes

Memphis took three of four from New Orleans this season...The Grizzlies improved to 23-7 at home this season...The Hornets fell to 9-21 on the road.






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