Grizzlies 113, Kings 96
Rudy Gay scored 23 points to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 113-96 victory over the visiting Sacramento Kings on Tuesday.
Memphis (2-3) picked up its fifth win in its last six meetings with the Kings (2-4), who have lost four of their last five after a season-opening victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Gay, who scored 15 of his points in the first half, sparked a 13-2 run with an alley-oop finish from Marc Gasol early into the third quarter. Gasol finished with 14 points and 15 rebounds and carried the load without teammate Zach Randolph, who missed the game with a knee injury.
DeMarcus Cousins, who was told to go home and didn't play Sunday in the Kings' 96-80 victory over New Orleans after reportedly demanding a trade and then denying it, didn't start Tuesday. He had eight rebounds and four points in 22 minutes.
Reserve forward Sam Young exploded for 20 points off the bench and led a strong finish to the third quarter to put the Grizzlies up 87-68 heading into the final frame. Memphis scored 26 of its 35 third-quarter points in the paint and finished with 72 points in the key.
Rookie Jimmer Fredette led the Kings with a season-high 17 points while Isaiah Thomas chipped in with 15 points. J.J. Hickson was the only starter in double figures with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
O.J Mayo scored 16 points off the bench, part of a 54-point night for Memphis’ reserves. Mike Conley, who missed the last three games with a sprained ankle, added 14 points and seven assists.
The home team has won 24 of the last 30 meeting between these clubs.