Grizzlies 113, Pelicans 104
NEW ORLEANS -- Center Marc Gasol scored a career-high 38 points, including all 16 free throw attempts, and grabbed 13 rebounds to power the Memphis Grizzlies to a 113-104 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night at the Smoothie King Center.
Gasol hit back-to-back jumpers to give Memphis (11-8) a 105-95 lead with 5:15 left. The Pelicans cut into the deficit, pulling within 107-102 on consecutive 3-pointers by guards Norris Cole and Tyreke Evans with 2:53 left.
In his first game of the season after having preseason knee surgery, Evans led the Pelicans (4-14) with 20 points and 10 assists. But forward Anthony Davis had a difficult shooting night, making just 4 of 15 from the floor. But Davis had nine blocks and finished with 17 points.
Forward Zach Randolph added 14 points for Memphis, and guard Mario Chalmers and Matt Barnes had 13 each. The Grizzlies were 25 of 26 from the foul line.
Gasol and Randolph scored eight points each in leading Memphis to a 27-20 edge in the third quarter and a 91-85 lead. The Grizzlies used a 21-9 run to end the quarter and pad their lead. They scored 64 points in the second and third quarters.
When the Grizzlies scored the first four points of the fourth period, they led 95-85 with 10:43 left.
Gasol scored 14 of his 22 first-half points in the second quarter as the Grizzlies erased a 41-27 deficit with a 33-14 run. Gasol was 6 of 11 from the floor in the first half, and he made all 10 free throw attempts to lead all scorers.
Evans gave the Pelicans a definite spark in his first game back after missing the first five weeks of the season due to surgery on his right knee. Evans played 15 minutes in the first half and made them count, scoring 11 points and dishing out six assists.
The Pelicans led 65-64 at the half, and they did it with good ball movement, getting 16 assists on 22 made field goals. Anderson came off the bench to score 12 first-half points, including 2 of 3 from long range.
Davis made a highlight play by blocking a Jeff Green drive, picking up the ball and dribbling behind his back before getting down court for a drive to the basket.
NOTES: After playing in only two preseason games and having surgery on his right knee, G Tyreke Evans returned to the starting lineup for the Pelicans. The slashing guard missed the first 17 regular-season games. ... Reserve PG Norris Cole, a valuable player down the stretch last season, also returned from a sprained left ankle. "It's good to have him and Norris back," said New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry. "Now it is just going to be getting them incorporated with everyone in the rotation." ... The Grizzlies' team bus was delayed in traffic due to rain and late getting to the Smoothie King Center. ... Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger said he didn't like his team's 26 turnovers in a 92-84 victory over the winless 76ers on Sunday. "We've got to do a good job of trying to control the tempo of the game offensively, that is moving the basketball and not turning it over," he said.