A solid second half performance helped Memphis defeat international opponent Maccabi Haifa 97-84 in the Grizzlies’ second preseason game on Thursday night at FedExForum.
After the Grizzlies took the lead at the end of the third quarter, strong collective play from the whole team enabled Memphis to hold off Maccabi. Although the Greens led by as many as eight points in the third quarter, Memphis used a 21-5 run to take an eight-point advantage of its own (73-65) with 30.8 seconds left in the frame.
Marc Gasol led the Grizzlies with a game-high 23 points and added six rebounds with three assists and four blocks in 29 minutes. Brandan Wright led the team with nine rebounds and two blocked shots. Dijon Thompson led Maccabi Haifa with 17 points, while Rene Rougeau registered 15 points and seven of Maccabi’s 20 steals. Both grabbed seven rebounds for the night.
The first half was a back–and-forth contest with seven lead changes and seven ties, which ended with the Grizzlies leading 26-25 at the finish of the first quarter. Maccabi went on a 7-1 run in the second period, but Memphis climbed back at the end to tie the game at 48 at the half.
The start of the final quarter allowed Memphis to show more depth from the bench. A strong effort by Jarnell Stokes and Ryan Hollins helped hold off Maccabi, including Stokes’ eight points in nine minutes of action. Hollins poured in an additional six points to cushion the Grizzlies��� lead, sealing the victory at 97-84. Memphis moves to 2-0 against Maccabi in preseason play after winning their first meeting in the 2013 preseason.
Memphis continues the preseason with its first away contest against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night, Oct. 11 at Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. CST and fans can catch the action on 92.9 FM ESPN Radio.
Key Stats of the Night
- The Grizzlies outmuscled Maccabi Haifa in the paint, outscoring the visitors 44-20, while holding Maccabi Haifa to 10-of-23 FG down low (.435).
Key Run of the Night
- Trailing by seven points (62-55) with 6:54 remaining in the third quarter, Memphis scored nine straight to take a two-point advantage (64-62) with 4:37 left in the frame... Maccabi Haifa reclaimed the lead with a three-pointer on the next possession, but Memphis again scored nine consecutive points to go up by eight (73-65) with 30.8 seconds to play in the quarter.
Quotes
Player Notes
- 2014-15 All-NBA First Team center Marc Gasol filled the box score with 23 points to lead all scorers, six rebounds and four blocked shots, while also getting it done from the charity stripe (7-of-9 FT) in 29 minutes of action.
- Grizzlies forward Brandan Wright scored eight points and nine rebounds with two blocked shots… Wright has averaged 9.0 points and 7.5 rebounds in 19.5 minutes in his first two games in a Grizzlies uniform.
- Grizzlies forward Jarnell Stokes scored eight points in nine minutes in his preseason debut.
- Maccabi Haifa forward Dijon Thompson led the team in scoring with 17 points off of the bench (6-of-16 FG).
- Maccabi Haifa forward Rene Rougeau was active everywhere in the game as he had seven of the team’s 20 steals, and also registered 15 points (6-of-14 FG) and pulled down seven rebounds.
- Maccabi Haifa forward/center and Memphis native Reggie Buckner finished with four points in 14 minutes…Buckner attended Manassas High School in Memphis.
Next Game
Grizzlies preseason action continues as the Grizzlies travel to Cleveland to take on the Cavaliers on Monday, Oct. 12.
Next Home Game
The Grizzlies will return to FedExForum on Friday, Oct. 16 to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder.