Things just aren’t getting any better for these Grizzlies.
Despite leads by as much as 14 against the Phoenix Suns (26-28), Memphis (15-39) managed just six points in the fourth quarter, and ended with yet another loss, 78-72 in front of over 13,000 at the Pyramid Thursday night.
“That was a tough game,” Grizzlies head coach Sidney Lowe said. “I was trying to have enough guys to play. Guys had to play some roles they aren’t ready to play.” Lowe’s injury chess-match continues. Not only did guard Jason Williams and forward Grant Long not play due to injury, guard Brevin Knight left the game with a strained thigh muscle and forward/center Tony Massenburg left with a busted calf muscle.
Rookie forwards Shane Battier and Pau Gasol each scored fifteen points, with Battier adding nine rebounds. Also for the Grizzlies, center Lorenzen Wright notched yet another double-double with a 12 point, 12 rebound effort.
But that was all for Memphis in a lackluster effort highlighted by 23 turnovers, and 43.5% shooting. In the fourth quarter, the squad only managed 2 of 16 shooting (12.5%).
For the Suns, forward Shawn Marion scored a game-high 18 points, while guard Stephon Marbury scored 13 points, guard Joe Johnson scored 11 points, and forward Tom Gugliotta scored 10 points. Forward Bo Outlaw scored only four points, but also pulled down nine rebounds. Gugliotta notched eight rebounds of his own. The Suns did not play particularly well either, with 20 turnovers, and 43.2% shooting.
“We lost the game in the fourth quarter,” said forward Stromile Swift. “We just didn’t hit any shots. Not to take anything away from them, they turned up the defense.”
The Grizzlies play again on Monday, February 25, against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Side note:
This game featured three former University of Memphis Tiger basketball players. Grizzlies center Lorenzen Wright and guard Elliot Perry for the Grizzlies, and guard Anfarnee Hardaway for the Suns. Wright won the alumni battle as Perry and Hardaway combined for only eight points and nine assists with six turnovers.
