MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Rudy Gay scored a season-high 26 points and the Memphis Grizzlies beat New York 94-83 on Thursday night to end the Knicks' winning streak at four games.
The Knicks played most of the second half without scoring leader Carmelo Anthony after he sprained his right ankle early in the third period. He didn't return and X-rays were negative.
Gay made 11 of 16 shots to help the Grizzlies snap a three-game losing streak and improve to 4-6. O.J. Mayo scored 18 points, also a season high, on 7-of-12 shooting and had eight rebounds. Tony Allen added 12 points, and Marc Gasol had 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Anthony and Bill Walker each scored 14 points to lead the Knicks (6-5). Rookie guard Iman Shumpert had 12 points, but was 5 of 20 from the field. Amare Stoudemire, saddled with foul problems early, scored a season-low six points, converting only one of his seven shots. New York set a season low with its 83 points.
Memphis had a comfortable lead in the fourth period, but New York reserves went 6 of 9 from 3-point range late to make it closer at the end.
Memphis already had a double-digit lead in the first half, then outscored the Knicks 26-14 in the third quarter, at one point stretching the lead to 25 points.
The Knicks struggled from the field from the start, missing eight of their first nine shots. Stoudemire picked up a couple of early fouls, and Memphis took the lead getting out on the break.
Gay was 5 of 6 early, including a couple of dunks, for 12 first-quarter points.
Memphis' lead reached 12 points in the first half and the Grizzlies eventually carried a 49-38 advantage into the dressing room. Gay missed only one of his nine shots for 18 points in the half, while Mayo added 10 points.
Anthony had 12 points to lead the Knicks, who shot 33 percent (15 of 45) in the half, primarily on rookie Shumpert going 3 of 15 from the field.
New York's shooting woes continued after halftime. The Knicks connected on 5 of 19 shots in the third period, helping Memphis take a 75-52 lead into the final quarter.
At that point, New York was shooting 31 percent, Anthony was in the locker room and Stoudemire had headed to the bench with six points, the first time he has not reached double figures in a game this season.
NOTES: Anthony went to the bench during a first-quarter timeout shaking his left wrist. He had additional taped wrapped on it and returned after the timeout. ... The broadcast by TNT meant the return of former Memphis Grizzlies coach Mike Fratello, an analyst for the network. ... Memphis' Marresse Speights got his second start at power forward in place of the injured Zach Randolph. Speights finished with two points, missing all six of his shots from the field. He grabbed nine rebounds. ... Several fans serenaded Memphis guard Tony Allen when he was at the line in the second quarter. Allen celebrated his 30th birthday on Wednesday. The singing brought a chuckle from Anthony.
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