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Gay, Warrick spark Grizzlies past Kings

Nov 19, 2008 - 6:10 AM By Shawn Pachucki PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Rudy Gay turned in a big game, as he usually does against the Sacramento Kings.

Gay led the way with 22 points for the Memphis Grizzlies, who ended a four-game slide with a 109-94 victory over the Kings at home Tuesday night.

Averaging better than 21 points over his last five games against the Kings, Gay was 9-of-15 from the field, including 3-of-3 from the arc. Gay also added eight rebounds and handed out four assists.

Rookie Marc Gasol scored 16 points and Hakim Warrick added 21 points and 10 rebounds off the bench for the Grizzlies, who shot 54 percent (39-of-72).

"There were some bright spots tonight," head coach Marc Ivaroni said. "I thought Rudy (Gay) passed the ball well and shot well. It was a good team effort."

Memphis turned the page on an ugly stretch of six games in which they gave up an average of 107.3 points. On Friday, the Grizzlies squandered a double-digit lead at halftime to a depleted Milwaukee team, but made sure this one would not be a case of d??ja vu.

"We had a few days to think about it," Gay said. "We're young, but we're not going to let teams come in and do it to us twice."

On the importance of ending their three-game home stand with a win before heading to Dallas Friday, Warrick said, "We needed it bad."

Playing without three starters - Francisco Garcia, Kevin Martin and Mikki Moore - the Kings were led by John Salmons with 18 points.

Sacramento forced some early turnovers and shot 59 percent to keep the game tight for most of the opening quarter, but fell out of sync thereafter.

"Tonight we caved in for a couple of reasons," said head coach Reggie Theus, whose team is now 1-4 without their leading scorer - Martin (22.4 points) - in the line-up. "Being on the road and our shots were not falling. We let that affect us on both ends of the floor? Tonight was just a breakdown defensively."

The Grizzlies are only the second team to post 100 or more points against the Kings, who lost their last two games by a total of just four points.

Memphis got off to a blistering start, shooting 62 percent in the first half en route to a 64-47 lead at the break.

Ahead 32-25 after the first quarter, Memphis allowed Sacramento to climb back with an 8-2 run to start the second, yet only for a moment. The Grizzlies outscored the Kings 30-14 from that point and limited the Kings to just 5-of-17 from the field the rest of the quarter.

Memphis hit eight 3-pointers in the first 24 minutes, including 3-of-3 from Gay, and dominated the boards, 24-11.

"We have to rebound and shoot better than we did tonight," said Spencer Hawes, who scored 14 points on 7-of-7 shooting from the field. "We can't win games when we give up points like we did."

In addition to a 46-33 advantage on the glass, Memphis benefited from good ball movement, dishing out a season high 26 assists on 39 made baskets.

"We moved the ball well tonight and guys were knocking (shots) down, so it was easy for us," Gay said.

"The ball moved. It's good to see us shooting well as a result," Ivaroni said. "It makes it a little easier on your offense as well as your defense."