Randolph, Marc Gasol Lead Grizzlies Past Nets 95-86

Zach Randolph had 19 points, Marc Gasol added 14 and 11 rebounds and the Memphis Grizzlies ruined the return of former coach Lionel Hollins with a 95-86 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night.

Six Grizzlies finished in double figures as Memphis won its 14th of the last 16. Courtney Lee had 15 points, Beno Udrih scored 13 and Tony Allen finished with 12.

The Nets lost for the seventh time in their last 10.

Mason Plumlee and Alan Anderson each had 15 points for the Nets, with Plumlee also grabbing 14 rebounds. Jarrett Jack and Brook Lopez had 12 points apiece and Joe Johnson scored 11. Deron Williams managed 10 points.

Memphis held a double-digit lead through most of the game until the Nets tightened it up in the fourth quarter.

Hollins was making his first return to the FedExForum. The former Grizzlies coach had taken the team to the Western Conference Finals. He received a standing ovation when he was introduced, and the team honored him with a video tribute during the pregame introductions.

The Nets never recovered from a poor shooting first quarter that led to an early double-digit lead for Memphis. There were times Brooklyn made little runs at the deficit, but only when the Grizzlies became careless with big leads.

Brooklyn got it under double digits near midway through the fourth, but never got close enough to make Grizzlies fans feel threatened.

The Nets normally shoot well in the first quarter - at a clip just under 50 percent. But they were limited to 33 percent, leading to an early 19-point deficit.

Brooklyn, which had eight turnovers in the third quarter in Monday's loss at Milwaukee, committed a half-dozen in the first quarter, ending the night with 20.

The lead would extend to 20 before the Nets made any effort to respond. The effort brought Brooklyn within 45-34 and Memphis coach Dave Joerger told his team "they're playing harder than we are."

The Nets trailed 52-40 at the break.

No Nets had reached double figures and Brooklyn ended the half shooting 40 percent and committing 11 turnovers. Memphis held a 75-62 lead at the end of three.

TIP-INS:

Nets: Johnson, who had hit better than half his shots in six of the last seven, was 3 of 9 from the field. . Lopez hade only two rebounds off the defensive glass, leaving him seven behind Keith Van Horn for seventh in franchise history.

Grizzlies: Memphis is now 10-1 at home against the Eastern Conference. ... Memphis won its 39th game, and still has a chance to reach 40 wins by the All-Star break. . 13-2 since trading for Jeff Green on Jan. 12, including 10-1 with Green in the starting lineup.

UP NEXT:

Nets: At Lakers on Feb. 20.

Grizzlies: Visit Thunder on Wednesday.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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