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Rookie powers Wizards past Grizzlies

Oct 9, 2008 - 2:48 AM By Jason Smith PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) -- The Washington Wizards didn't need their top four players to spoil the Memphis Grizzlies' preseason home opener at FedEx Forum.

Rookie center JaVale McGee had 20 points and eight rebounds off the bench to lead the Wizards past the Grizzlies, 89-80, on Wednesday.

Andray Blatche scored 14 points and DerMarr Johnson added 11 for Washington, which outscored Memphis, 44-34, in the paint and 19-10 in fast-break points.

Rudy Gay's 21 points led Memphis, which trailed by as many as 12 in the fourth quarter.

Hakim Warrick had 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Marc Gasol - the younger brother of former Grizzlies All-Star forward and current member of the Los Angeles Lakers Pau Gasol - had 10 points and nine rebounds.

Washington, which held Memphis to 35 percent shooting, was without starters Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison and Brendan Haywood.

Memphis held Washington scoreless for nearly six minutes of the first quarter but led just 18-14 entering the second quarter after connecting on just 31 percent of its shots.

Washington took command midway through the second quarter. DeShawn Stevenson's 3-pointer with 4:49 left in the period ignited a 6-0 spurt, helping the Wizards take a 43-35 lead into halftime.

Rookie guard O.J. Mayo scored seven points on 3-of-11 shooting for Memphis.