• Recap
• Bleachers

Gay, Grizzlies top Pistons with strong fourth quarter

Oct 15, 2006 - 3:11 AM MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Rookie Rudy Gay continued his stellar preseason play with a strong performance against the Detroit Pistons.

Gay scored 21 points and Dahntay Jones added 17 as the Memphis Grizzlies used a fourth-quarter run to post a 101-89 victory over the Pistons.

The eighth overall pick in this summer's draft, Gay is considered one of the most physically talented rookies in the league. But many experts have questioned his ability to translate that into results.

However, entering Saturday's game, the 20-year-old Gay led the Grizzlies with 14.5 points per game in two preseason contests.

The 6-9 Gay netted nine points in a 22-6 outburst that erased a one-point deficit and gave the Grizzlies their largest advantage, 99-84, with 1:42 remaining. Gay shot 7-of-12 from the floor and scored 11 of his 21 points in the final period.

Memphis swingman Mike Miller did not play after having his right big toenail removed.

Jason Maxiell shot 12-of-16 from the free-throw line and scored 16 points for Detroit, which played without injured big man Dale Davis.