Published November 20, 2014
Zach Randolph had 34 points and 17 rebounds, Rudy Gay scored 26 points, and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Detroit Pistons 107-99 on Wednesday night.
The Pistons debuted a new starting lineup — and benched Richard Hamilton. Ben Wallace (ankle) missed the game and was replaced by rookie Greg Monroe, while Tracy McGrady and Chris Wilcox came in for Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva.
Gordon had 25 points, all in the second half, for the Pistons, while Monroe had his fourth straight double-double, finishing with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Memphis, which snapped a two-game losing streak, also got nine assists from Mike Conley.
Hamilton, rumored to be part of a potential Carmelo Anthony trade, did not play — the first game he has missed due to coach's decision since sitting out the final regular-season game of the 2008-09 season to rest for the playoffs.
Detroit's new-look lineup started quickly, building a 21-7 lead, but couldn't sustain the momentum. Memphis was within 46-43 at halftime, and took over after the break.
Memphis came into the game as one of the league's best third-quarter teams, while Detroit is last, so it wasn't surprising that the Grizzlies dominated the period. They shot 62 percent in the quarter to the Pistons' 33 percent, and took a 73-64 into the fourth.
Gordon hit two 3-pointers late in the third, his first points of the game, then scored Detroit's first six points of the fourth.
The Grizzlies moved their lead back into double figures, but Gordon's three-point play made it 95-89 with 1:37 left. The Pistons, though, gave up easy layups on the next two Memphis possessions, ending their threat of getting back into the game.
NOTES: Tony Allen (knee) missed the game, and was replaced by Sam Young. ... Randolph had his third 30-15 game of the season.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/randolph-gay-lead-grizzlies-past-pistons