Grizz try for two in a row, host Utah

Published January 13, 2015

(SportsNetwork.com) - The Memphis Grizzlies haven't won back-to-back games since mid-November and hope to accomplish the feat Monday versus the Utah Jazz at FedExForum.

The Grizzlies ended a season-long five-game losing streak with Saturday's 95-87 win against the New York Knicks and were powered by Zach Randolph's 25 points and 15 rebounds. Randolph has 15 double-doubles this season and 12 in his last 17 games. Memphis is 8-1 this season when Randolph, a former Knick, leads or ties the team in scoring.

"I'm trying to get a win, I'm always extra motivated. I love playing in the Garden," said Randolph. "And it's a team I played for. I had a great time when I was here. So it's definitely sweet to get a win here."

Tony Allen had a season-high 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Grizzlies, who set season highs in total rebounds (56), defensive rebounds (43) and points in the paint (60).

Memphis used an 18-7 run to take a 50-40 halftime lead and later scored 15 of 20 points spanning the third and fourth quarters for a 19-point advantage.

The Grizzlies have dropped three in a row at home and are 5-10 at FedExForum, where they lost only nine times last season (32-9).

Utah will close out a five-game road trip Monday and is 2-2 so far on the trek, which resumed with Saturday's 88-85 victory in Charlotte.

Trey Burke led five players in double figures with 20 points, Derrick Favors added 14 and Richard Jefferson scored 13 points for the Jazz, who won despite shooting 38.6 percent from the field. Gordon Hayward had 12 points and 10 rebounds in the win.

"They're feisty," Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin said of the Jazz. "I've been saying all year, even with all the struggles we've had early in the year, they won't quit. I told them I wouldn't quit on them and they're not quitting on me."

The Jazz are 5-12 away from Salt Lake City this season.

Utah lost three of four matchups with Memphis last season, but has won 16 of the previous 23 games in this series. The Jazz are winless in three straight and six of their last seven contests on Beale Street.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/grizz-try-for-two-in-a-row-host-utah