Grizzlies send Knicks to record-tying 12th straight loss
Grizzlies guard Mike Conley protects the ball against Knicks’ Pablo Prigioni in the first half. AP
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Mike Conley scored 14 of his game-high 22 points in the third quarter, and the Memphis Grizzlies beat New York 105-83 on Monday night, sending the depleted Knicks to their record-tying 12th straight loss.
The Knicks (5-32), who have the NBA’s worst winning percentage this season, lost for the 22nd time in 23 games.
New York played without injured starters Carmelo Anthony and Amare’ Stoudemire. The Knicks were also missing J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert, who the team has agreed to trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Monday night
Reserve forward Quincy Acy led the Knicks with 19 points, and Jose Calderon added 13.
The Grizzlies led by 11 at the half and pulled away in the third quarter behind Courtney Lee and Conley.
Lee scored all 11 of his points in the first seven minutes of the quarter. Conley made both of his 3-pointers in the period, and the Grizzlies built a 22-point lead entering the fourth quarter.
Tony Allen and Marc Gasol added 14 points apiece for the Grizzlies, who rested their starters for most of the final period.
The Knicks fell behind by 12 in the first quarter, but recovered to take brief leads of 27-26 and 29-26 midway through the second after successive baskets by Calderon.
Calderon’s 3-pointer gave the Knicks their first lead, and he followed with a 20-foot jumper on the next possession.
The Grizzlies recovered in the final six minutes of the quarter. Vince Carter sparked a 21-7 run, starting with a 3-pointer to tie it 29-29. He closed the spurt with a 3-pointer to give the Grizzlies a 47-36 lead at halftime.
Tayshaun Prince had eight points in between, including six straight before Carter’s finishing 3.
TIP-INS:
Knicks: New York shot 33 percent in the first half, including 26 percent in the opening quarter. The Knicks finished at 43 percent.
Grizzlies: Memphis shot 45 percent in the first half and 52 percent for the game.
UP NEXT:
Knicks: Wednesday at Washington.
Grizzlies: Wednesday at Atlanta.
