Memphis Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay (22) drives against Miami Heat center Ronny Turiaf (21) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, April 6, 2012 in Miami. Gay scored 17 points, Zach Randolph had 14 points and 14 rebounds in the Grizzlies 97-82 win. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
MIAMI — The Memphis Grizzlies snapped Miami’s 17-game home win streak with a 97-82 victory on Friday behind a balanced attack which included a 17-point performance from Rudy Gay.
Mike Conley and Marreese Speights scored 15 points each and Zach Randolph came off the bench to finish with 14 points and 14 rebounds for the Grizzlies, who have won six of their past eight National Basketball Association games.
Miami finished one victory short of the franchise record of 18 straight wins at home which was set during the 2004-05 season.
It was their first defeat at the American Airlines Arena since they were beaten by Milwaukee on January 22.
LeBron James scored 11 of his 21 points in the third quarter for the Heat who also got 20 points from Dwyane Wade and 19 from Chris Bosh. James also had six assists and a half dozen rebounds.
The Heat beat Western Conference leading Oklahoma City 98-93 in their most recent game to extend the streak to 17.
The Grizzlies led from wire-to-wire Friday, building a 19-point lead in the first half. Memphis, which had seven players in double figure scoring, led by as many as 21 in the second half.
Miami dropped three games back of Chicago in the battle for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.