Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Posted: 10:25 p.m.Updated: Feb. 16, 12:13 a.m.
By Dei Lynam
CSNPhilly.com
BOX SCORE
MEMPHISSome would say the Sixers picked up where they left off in terms of facing the Grizzlies.
Eighteen days ago, the Sixers blew a 21-point lead against Memphis by committing 15 turnovers in the final 15 minutes of a 99-94 loss at the Wells Fargo Center.
The Sixers had 16 turnovers for the game, including 10 at halftime of Tuesday nights 102-91 defeat to drop their record to 26-29.
The Sixers, who average the second-fewest turnovers a game in the NBA at 13, were careless to say the least with those 10 giveaways in the first half, leading to 16 Memphis points. Couple that number with the fact that the Sixers had zero fast-break points through 24 minutes and you would quickly understand why they trailed 55-44 at intermission.
NBA
The 11-point deficit seemed a real accomplishment considering they were outscored 18-2 to close out the first quarter and were behind by as many as 18.
The Sixers came out and won the third quarter 31-22 to be within a basket heading into the final 12 minutes. If they were going to get over the hump they would need to take care of the ball and keep Memphis out of the paint.
The Grizzlies finished with 10 more points in the paint and the points off turnovers were 28-11 in favor of the home team. Memphis also scored more fast-break points18-10.
That team is a nightmare matchup for us, Doug Collins said. They are big, strong. They just rocked us in that first quarter when they got us on our heels and took the ball right off of us. They did anything they wanted to do. We fought back but it is the same numbers of the last game. It just came about a little differently.
Former Ohio State point guard Mike Conley scored 11 of his team-high 22 points in the fourth quarter. He heated up when he banked in a three-pointer with six minutes to go. His play helped Memphis pull away for good as the Grizzlies swept the season series.
He hit some shots, Evan Turner said of the fellow Buckeye. He ran the team well and when they needed some big shots he definitely stepped up and provided them. He did what he is supposed to do. He attacked when he had the opportunity and when we left him open for a few shots he knocked them down.
Thaddeus Young was high man in the game with 23 points but he had his hands full trying to defend any of the Grizzlies big men.
Those guys are definitely a big physical team that is going to try and out muscle you and out power you to each and every loose ball, Young said. Tonight thats what they did. They were just a step ahead of us each and every play.
Collins had pointed out pregame that the Grizzlies have three guys in the top 10 in steals, something, should it hold up for the entire season, that has never been done before. Connelly, Rudy Gay and Tony Allen make up the trio and they combined for eight of the teams 12 steals on the night.
Young and Lou Williams carried the scoring load. Williams capped the first half with a three-point play as he finished the half with 10. Young, who was playing in front of family and friends having gone to high school in the Memphis area, was 5 of 9 from the floor for 14 points.
The two totaled 41 between them for the night.
Andre Iguodala had just one field-goal attempt through 24 minutes, though he did have four rebounds and two assists. He was limited to nine points in the game.
He just seemed like he didnt have a good rhythm tonight but again when a guy is out of rhythm I give a lot of credit to the defense, Collins explained. Somebody has something to do with that.
The Grizzlies shot 54 percent from the floor and was led by their two starting forwards, Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph, who each had 11 at the half.
Williams had the best highlight of the game, and possibly one of the top five of the season, when in the half court he caught a ball and took one step before rising above the rim to slam dunk over Randolph, who was a fraction of a second late getting to the basket.
The Sixers play at Houston Wednesday in their final game before the All-Star break.
Related: Last week's top playsBuy Sixers gear
E-mail Dei Lynam at dlynam@comcastsportsnet.com