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Grizzlies swat Hornets in double OT win

Vinsanity has arrived in Memphis. With 4.5 seconds remaining in the first overtime period, Vince Carter sunk a game-tying three-pointer to the tie the game at 102-102. The Grizzlies went on to take the victory over the Charlotte Hornets in double-overtime 113-107 at FedExForum on Friday night.

In their second out of two matchups this season, Charlotte (6-16) took Memphis down to the wire, but the Grizzlies prevailed to protect their home court and improved their record at FedExForum to a Western Conference best 11-1.

The Grizzlies’ core of Mike Conley, Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph combined to score 58 points on 21-of-46 shooting (.456). Randolph was the leading scorer for Memphis with 20 points and hauled in 11 rebounds to notch his 12th double-double of the season. Gasol added 19 points on 8-of-20 (.400) shooting and swatted a career-high tying six blocks for the third time in his career. Gasol’s last six block effort came on January 21, 2012 vs. Sacramento. Conley contributed his eighth 15-plus point scoring effort in the last nine games with his 19-point performance on 6-of-14 (.428) shooting. Conley also sank a perfect 6-of-6 (1.000) from the charity stripe.

Memphis’ bench scored 33 points led by Beno Udrih’s nine points on 2-of-4 shooting in 16 minutes. Carter was second with eight points on 3-of-4 shooting in 16 minutes, including his all-important three-point shot that propelled the Grizzlies to victory. The Grizzlies also took full advantage of their seven offensive rebounds, scoring 18 second-chance points on 7-of-8 (.875) shooting in the process.

The Grizzlies overcame 20 turnovers to seal their third straight victory and improved their record to 6-2 over Eastern Conference opponents. Kemba Walker led all Hornets scorers with 28 points on 11-of-21 shooting (.524) and added seven assists while sinking 4-of-7 (.571) from beyond the arc. Gary Neal added a season-high 25 points on 8-of-15 (.533) shooting.

Memphis will take a quick one-game road trip to the East Coast to take on the Philadelphia 76ers before returning home to face the NBA’s top team in the Golden State Warriors (19-2) on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. (CT) at FedExForum. The matchup between two of the Western Conference’s best will be nationally televised on ESPN.

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Key Stat of the Night

  • Memphis outscored Charlotte 18-8 in second chance points and 12-6 in fast break points.

Key Run of the Night

  • Down 99-102 with 23.1 seconds remaining in the first overtime regulation, the Grizzlies tied the game 102-102 with a corner three by Vince Carter. Memphis forced Charlotte to double overtime, ending on a 6-2 run to eventually win the game.

Highlights

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Player Notes

  • Zach Randolph led all Grizzlies scorers recording a double-double with 20 points (7-of-12 FG) and 11 rebounds... Randolph has tallied 13 double-doubles on the season.
  • Marc Gasol posted 19 points on 8-of-20 shooting while adding five assists, three rebounds and a career-tying six blocked shots... Gasol scored 16 of his 19 points in the second half.
  • Mike Conley recorded 19 points on 6-of-14 shooting (.428) while adding four rebounds and shooting 6-of-6 (1.000) from the free throw line... Conley has scored 18+ points in 13 of his last 18 games.
  • Kemba Walker led the Hornets with a season-high 28 points on 11-of-21 (.524) shooting while recording 12 points from beyond the arc (4-of-7 3FG) in 48 minutes.
  • Gary Neal recorded a season-high 25 points (8-of-15 FG), recording his second game of scoring 20 points or more.

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