• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Randolph, Grizzlies outlast Raptors for fifth straight win

Feb 21, 2013 - 3:13 AM Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - Zach Randolph recorded a double-double with 17 points and 18 rebounds, and the Grizzlies shut down their former franchise player in upending the Toronto Raptors, 88-82, at Air Canada Centre.

Rudy Gay, playing in his first game against the Grizzlies since they traded him to Toronto in a three-team swap late last month, shot just 5-of-15 from the floor and finished with 13 points and nine rebounds as the Raptors had their five-game winning streak snapped.

"They double-teamed (Gay) right from the beginning," Raptors head coach Dwane Casey said. "I felt sorry for him because they wouldn't allow him to get going."

Tayshaun Prince, one of the three players the Grizzlies received in the Gay deal, added 11 points, and Mike Conley chipped in 17 points, six rebounds and six assists in the victory.

Tony Allen had 12 points and eight boards for Memphis, which earned a fifth straight win for the first time since November.

Alan Anderson sparked a Toronto comeback in the fourth quarter and scored a game-high 19 points, but the hosts never got over the hump in losing for the first time this season when allowing less than 90 points.

Anderson saw less than nine minutes of action in the first three quarters, then exploded for 15 points in the first 5 1/2 minutes of the fourth. The reserve drained four 3-pointers during the stretch, including one while being fouled by Randolph. The subsequent free throw brought the Raptors within 77-75, and an Amir Johnson layup tied it with 4:09 remaining.

Gay, the Grizzlies' all-time leader in games played, steals and minutes, had a forgettable finish against the only club he had ever played for prior to being dealt.

He missed a potential go-ahead 3-pointer with the score tied, then turned it over the next time down. Three free throws from Randolph over two trips to the foul line gave the Memphis the lead again, and after Allen blocked a driving Gay, Conley fired a dagger from long range for an 85-77 cushion with 1:57 remaining.

Memphis made just enough free throws down the stretch to hold on for the win.

"It was like a playoff game," Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins said. "They made it tough in the second half, but we had some outstanding defense down the stretch."

Both teams were playing the second of a back-to-back immediately following the All-Star break, and the tightness showed early on.

The Grizzlies missed their first eight shots and had their inefficiency promptly outdone when the Raptors bricked 10 straight in the opening quarter.

The frame ended with Memphis holding a 19-14 lead, and consecutive 3-pointers by Jerryd Bayless and Tony Wroten early in the second gave the Grizzlies their first double-digit lead, 27-16.

Gay was 0-for-5 from the floor before banking in a 3-pointer to beat the shot clock with 5:14 left in the first half, but the Raptors still trailed, 43-32, at intermission.

"We didn't bring the intensity in the first half," Casey said.

Memphis led the entire third quarter and brought a 66-57 advantage into the fourth.

Game Notes

Randolph has recorded 32 double-doubles this season ... Ed Davis, who went from Toronto to Memphis as part of the Gay trade, had four points and four rebounds in 14-plus minutes ... The Raptors were 12-0 when allowing less than 90 points ... Johnson scored 16 points and extended his streak with at least one block to 15 games ... The Grizzlies have won four in a row in Toronto.