Grizzlies 106, Magic 96
Jeff Green scored 12 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter in his second game with his new team as visiting Memphis held on to defeat Orlando for the seventh consecutive time.
Zach Randolph contributed 18 points and 12 boards while Marc Gasol scored 12, matched a career high with 16 rebounds and dished out eight assists for Memphis, which won its third straight. Tony Allen recorded a season-high 17 points, Courtney Lee had 16 and Beno Udrih added 15 for the Grizzlies.
Rookie Elfrid Payton produced career highs of 22 points and 12 assists to lead the way for the Magic, who had scored at least 120 points in its previous two games. Nikola Vucevic had 18 points and nine rebounds while Channing Frye scored 17 and Victor Oladipo added 16 for Orlando.
Payton registered 10 points and eight assists in the first half as the Magic led by as many as seven before settling for a 49-48 lead at intermission. Udrih had six points during an 11-4 run in the middle of third quarter to give the Grizzlies a 67-63 lead and they stretched it to 81-74 going into the fourth by scoring the last six – four by Randolph.
Kosta Koufos and Green began the final quarter with baskets for an 11-point lead and Memphis answered several times when Orlando got within seven, including Randolph’s layup with 2:31 to go. Payton responded with five straight points, but Green dunked on the next two possessions for a 104-96 lead and the Grizzlies had the cushion they needed.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Memphis PG Mike Conley, the team’s second-leading scorer (17.9), missed the game with an ankle injury. … The Grizzlies are 13-0 when Lee scores at least 14 points. … Orlando’s rookie F Aaron Gordon has been cleared to play after missing the last two months with a fractured left foot, but was inactive reportedly due to a lack of enough practice time. ... Green was acquired from Boston earlier in the week and scored 10 in his debut Wednesday.