Pelicans 104, Grizzlies 98
Eric Gordon scored a game-high 25 points on 10-of-12 shooting while backcourt mate Jrue Holiday recorded 20 points and 12 assists as New Orleans held off visiting Memphis.
Ryan Anderson contributed 18 points and seven rebounds for the Pelicans, who beat Memphis for the second time in two games this season. Anthony Morrow had 11 points off the bench and Al-Farouq Aminu added 10 for New Orleans, which committed only six turnovers.
Jon Leuer had 19 points and eight rebounds off the bench and Mike Conley chipped in 18 points and seven assists for Memphis, which scored only 11 in the third quarter. Zach Randolph registered 13 points and 10 rebounds while Ed Davis had 12 points and Mike Miller 10 for the Grizzlies, who saw their five-game road win streak end.
Conley scored 10 points and Memphis made 16-of-25 from the field in the opening quarter to build a 34-26 advantage. The Grizzlies pushed their lead to 10 in the second period before New Orleans battled back as Anderson scored seven of his 12 first-half points and the Pelicans took a 55-54 edge at intermission.
Memphis was within a point midway through the third quarter before New Orleans went on a 14-1 run, capped by a dunk from Lou Amundson, to take control. Miller’s 3-pointer pulled the Grizzlies within 94-88 with 4:52 left in the game, but Gordon hit the next basket and the Pelicans quickly built the lead back to 10.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Pelicans G Tyreke Evans re-aggravated a left ankle injury and was limited to six points in 12 minutes during the first half. … Memphis G Tony Allen returned to the starting lineup after missing the last four games with a hip contusion and scored six points in 24 minutes. … New Orleans announced before the game it has waived F Josh Childress, who did not score in four games this season.