Sacramento Kings Ring Out 2016 With 112-98 Loss To Memphis Grizzlies, Conley Scores 22
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Sacramento, Calif. — The Memphis Grizzlies beat the Sacramento Kings in about every way possible in their 112-98 victory at Golden 1 Center on a Saturday, New Year’s Eve, afternoon.
The Grizzlies (22-14) made 44-of-87 shots from the field (50.6 percent), 17-of-35 from behind the 3-point line (48.6 percent), dished out 20 assists, and turned the ball over seven times. NBA teams are not really accustomed to this type of play from Memphis.
Following the game, Kings guard Garrett Temple described the Grizzlies’ shooting display “a recipe for disaster” since the team is known more for its defense than offense. For this game, to close out the year 2016, Memphis redesigned the blueprint.
“We can’t give up that many points to a team that averages 95 points per game,” said Kings guard Garrett Temple. “We just can't give up that many 3s and allow them to shoot that well from behind the 3-point line on top of giving up offensive rebounds. They just flat out beat us on every spot on the court.”
Sacramento Kings player Rudy Gay, left, talks to former teammate Mike Conley, right, of the Memphis Grizzlies. Conley had 22 points in Memphis' 112-98 victory at Golden 1 Center. Gay did not play. Photo art by T. Ray Harvey. Dec. 31,2016.
DeMarcus Cousins had another solid game with 26 points, eight assists, five steals, and four rebounds in 38 minutes. Matt Barnes had 20 points, eight rebounds, and three assists while Darren Collison and Anthony Tolliver each had 16 points for the Kings (14-19).
It was clear that the Grizzlies wanted to get this win. Especially, with Mike Conley back in the lineup after a two-game layoff dealing with a toe injury. Conley had 22-points, eight rebounds, and three assists in 29 minutes of action. He also made three of four shots beyond the arc.
“Yeah, when we’re shooting like we were tonight we’re a tough team because we play so hard on the defensive end,” Conley said. “The ball was shared so much and I though guys got a lot of easy looks. A lot of confident opportunities.”
Conley lead six players in double figures. JaMychal Green scored 18 points, and Troy Daniels and Tony Allen had 11 points each. Zach Randolph and Vince Carter both came off the bench to score 14 points apiece.
The Grizzlies led 21-20 in the first quarter, but Randolph made nine straight points, including a 3-point shot, to give Memphis 30-20 lead early in the second quarter.
“He’s a stud,” said Kings head coach Dave Joerger, who coached Randolph in Memphis. “He’s one of the best power forwards in the league. That’s what he does and that’s one of the reason why they are very successful.”
Matt Barnes, No. 22, battles Memphis Grizzlies player Jarell Martin, No. 1, for a rebound at Golden 1 Center. Photo art by T. Ray Harvey. Dec. 31,2016.
The Kings battled back to tie the game on two occasions in the second quarter and at one moment had a 42-41 lead after Barnes’ made a trey at the 2:32 mark. The Grizzlies finished with a 9-3 run to lead 50-45 at the break.
In the third quarter, the Grizzlies made it happen on the offensive end. Before the Kings knew it, they were down by 19 points half way through the the quarter. The Grizzlies were 13-for-20 from the field and made six of nine shots behind the 3-point line.
Conley had 11 points in a quarter where Memphis outscored the Kings 32-22. Cousins also got a suspicious technical foul from referee Ed Malloy with 4:08 remaining in the quarter. The Kings made 6 of 17 shots from the field and turned the ball over six times in the third quarter.
The Kings never got closer than 13 points late in the fourth quarter. But by that time the Kings and Memphis took out the starters. Rookie Malachi Richards scored seven points in 10 minutes for the Kings.
Joerger said he will give Richardson more playing opportunities going forward.
“I’ve been waiting for it and I’ve been looking forward to it,” said Richardson. “I can’t wait to get out there and just help.”
Memphis center Marc Gasol left the game in the second half after he tweaked an ankle.
By T. Ray Harvey | PA Public Information Officer and Photographic Artist
PRESS INFORMATION:
Rudy Gay missed his second game since reinjuring his hip in the Sacramento Kings’ 102-100 victory against the Philadelphia 76ers on Dec. 20. Gay has missed eight of the last nine games since the injury first occurred. He had a MRI this week that came back negative. Gay is listed day-to-day. When he returns back to action is anybody’s guess. “It’s hard to put an exact date on it. That’s a tough spot to have an injury,” Dave Joerger said. “I had one back in college back in the day and it hurts. If it’s not loose or staying loose, when you get cold or cooled off, if you try to take off it’s something that can be painful.”
Ty Lawson suffered a non-displaced maxillary sinus fracture in the first half of the game against Memphis and is considered day to day.
King’s Arron Afflalo sat out another game with an elbow strain.
Kings coach Dave Joerger is now 1-1 against his former Memphis team. The Kings finished out the year 7-7 at Golden 1 Center.
The DeMarcus Cousins’ campaign for the All-Star Game in New Orleans is in progress. It would be his third-straight trip if he makes the Western Conference squad. Participants should look for #NBAVOTE hashtag on Twitter or facebook.
T. Ray (Antonio) Harvey is a Public Information Officer and Photo Artist for Publicity Agents. Harvey is also the author of The HOMICIDAL HANDYMAN OF OAK PARK: MORRIS SOLOMON JR.
