MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Marc Gasol scored 16 points, Zach Randolph had 15 and Tayshaun Prince added 14 as the Memphis Grizzlies extended their home-winning streak to a franchise record 16 straight Monday night with a 93-81 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Grizzlies, off to a franchise-best 4-0 start, got three double-doubles. Randolph had 11 rebounds to give him a double-double in each of the team's four games. Gasol (11 rebounds) and Tony Allen (12 points, 11 rebounds) also finished with double-doubles.
Tyreke Evans led the Pelicans (1-2) with 21 points. New Orleans shot only 34 percent from the field.
The Grizzlies pulled away in the fourth quarter behind reserve Vince Carter and Prince. Carter's turnaround jumper gave the Grizzlies a 71-66 lead midway through the quarter and two minutes later Prince scored back-to-back baskets — the second a fast break slam off a feed from Beno Udrih for a 76-68 lead. In the closing minute Allen's two free throws gave the Grizzlies their biggest lead at 93-79.
The Grizzlies, who led by as many as 10 points in the first half, struggled from the floor in the third quarter. Memphis was 7-of-23 in the quarter and allowed the Pelicans to grab their first lead at 45-44 early in the period.
But the Grizzlies recovered behind Gasol, who scored 10 points in the quarter as Memphis reclaimed the lead. Gasol scored all of his points in a two-minute stretch that allowed the Grizzlies to take a 12-point lead (60-48).
The Grizzlies jumped to a 6-0 lead in the opening minutes and never trailed in the first half. Memphis made eight of its first 10 shots to build a 20-11 first-quarter lead.
Despite Gasol being limited to one shot attempt in the half, the Grizzlies held a 40-33 halftime lead. The Pelicans trimmed the Grizzlies' lead to 28-25 on an Eric Gordon free throw with five minutes left in the second quarter, but Memphis responded by going on a 12-5 run for a 40-30 lead — its largest of the half. Udrih had five points during the run, including a 3-pointer.
New Orleans shot 28 percent in the opening half and its bench went 2-for-12. Memphis shot 41 percent
TIP-INS
The Grizzlies: Center Marc Gasol, leading the team with a 24.7 average, did not attempt his first shot until 3:51 remained in the second quarter. . . . The Grizzlies did not have a fast break point in their 71-69 win over Charlotte Saturday. They had four in the first half against the Pelicans and six for the game. . . . The Grizzlies 16-game home winning streak began Feb. 11, 2014 against Washington. The previous record was from March to November 2012. . . . The Grizzlies celebrated their 10-year anniversary at FedExForum Monday night.
The Pelicans: Reserve forward John Salmons missed Monday's game due to a family situation according to coach Monty Williams. . . . Reserve Ryan Anderson, who entered the game averaging 16.5 points, was held to 7 points on 2-of-14 shooting. . . . Starting guard Eric Gordon's early season slump continued. He was 4-of-14 shooting, including 0-for-5 from beyond the arc, and finished with 11 points. He entered the game averaging 4 points per game.
WHAT'S NEXT:
The Grizzlies visit Phoenix on Wednesday.
The Pelicans return home to face Charlotte.
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