Grizzlies rebound from 50-point loss with rout of Kings
Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph, (50) shoots against Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015. AP
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Zach Randolph had 20 points and 11 rebounds, and the Memphis Grizzlies bounced back from an embarrassing loss to Golden State with a 103-89 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night.
The Grizzlies were anxious to rebound after a franchise-worst, 50-point loss Monday to the defending NBA champions. The Grizzlies were outscored 72-27 in the middle two quarters and set a franchise low for shooting (27.1 percent).
Mike Conley had 14 points and six assists for Memphis and Courtney Lee also scored 14 points. Marc Gasol developed a neck spasm and didn’t play in the second half. He finished with eight points and two rebounds in 17 minutes.
Rudy Gay had 19 points and Darren Collison added 18 for the Kings, who played without All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins because of a strained right Achilles.
The Kings’ perennial scoring and rebounding leader is expected to also miss Wednesday’s game in Phoenix.
Sacramento, which averaged 115 points in its first three games, shot 39 percent and converted 24 of 40 free throws.
The Kings were 6-17 last season without Cousins. They lacked any offensive consistency without him Tuesday and the Grizzlies scored frequently inside, holding a 50-32 advantage of points in the paint.
Ahead by 16 points entering the fourth quarter, the Grizzlies kept the pressure on the cold-shooting Kings and never let the lead slip below 13 points.
Leading by 10 points at the half, Randolph made consecutive baskets to open the third quarter and finished with eight points in the period, helping Memphis assume an 83-67 lead heading into the fourth.
TIP-INS
Grizzlies: This was the second contest in a five-game road trip for Memphis that concludes Monday against the Clippers. … The Memphis starters were a combined 11 of 46 against Golden State, but had 11 field goals in the first quarter against the Kings.
Kings: Sacramento opens the season with nine of its first 11 games at home. Eight of those games are against teams that made the playoffs a season ago. … The Kings’ lowest point total in three previous games was 104 in an opening-night loss to the Clippers.
UP NEXT
Grizzlies: At Portland on Thursday night.
Kings: At Phoenix on Wednesday night.
