The Grizzlies have struggled to score the last five or six games as they've battled to lock down a Western Conference playoff spot.
But as was the case in Tuesday night's 91-84 win at Minnesota, Memphis has discovered the hungriest player on the floor has been the most productive in the clutch.
Griz forward Rudy Gay, who missed Memphis' playoff run last year because of shoulder surgery, seems to have reached down deep lately for a little extra energy. With the playoffs set to start a week from Saturday, Gay wants to experience the postseason after being denied last year.
"Last year, I learned how quick it all can be taken away," Gay said. "I now know to take advantage of every moment and work as hard as you can, because you never know when the day will come when you can't play anymore.
"It's easy for me to be motivated, because there were a lot of things this team accomplished last year that I wasn't a part of."
That is why he has lifted his tired teammates several times lately with the game on the line. And it hasn't just been his scoring, like his 28 points along with nine rebounds against the Timberwolves on Tuesday.
He scored nine straight points in just under three minutes to rally the Grizzlies from an 81-80 deficit to an 89-84 lead with 43 seconds left.
"Our offense was stagnant, so I start getting to places on the court where I'm effective," Gay said. "When people depend on you most, that's when you should show. You study the greats in this game, and that's when they show up. It's one of those things I taught myself to do."
Coach Lionel Hollins doesn't mind saying that Gay is the team's most talented and versatile player.
"It's beautiful to watch Rudy grow and become a better basketball player as opposed to just being a scorer," Hollins said.
NOTES
--The magic number for the Grizzlies (36-25) to clinch a playoff spot was reduced to two games. Memphis, in fifth place in the Western Conference, is two games behind the Clippers for fourth place and home-court advantage for at least the first round of the playoffs. Memphis plays at home Wednesday against the Hornets.
--Coach Lionel Hollins is always preaching to his players that the Grizzlies win as a team and that every player has to be ready to play when called upon, even though they may not play every game or not get many minutes when they do play. Third-team center Hamed Haddadi is a prime example of that. There are a lot of nights he doesn't play, because the starting front line and primary backups don't get in foul trouble or because he doesn't fit in the individual matchups against smaller lineups.
But there are also nights like Tuesday when Haddadi is needed for more than just a cameo, and the big Iranian, using his length and knowing his role, comes through. He had eight points, two rebounds, two blocked shots and four fouls in 12 minutes vs. the Timberwolves.
--The Grizzlies swept the season series from the Timberwolves, 4-0. But the average victory margin was about six points.
ROSTER REPORT
--F Zach Randolph, continuing to work back into shape after a torn MCL sidelined him for more than 30 games, appeared to have more pep in his step vs. Minnesota than he has shown in recent games.
"I feel pretty good and I'm trying to get more aggressive every game," said Randolph, who had 16 points and 11 rebounds. "We've got five games left before the playoffs, so I'm trying to get back to being myself."
--G Rudy Gay scored 28 points and pulled down nine rebounds against the Timberwolves on Tuesday. It was his 30th 20-point game this season.
--C Marc Gasol, who went down in a heap with seven minutes left in Sunday's loss at New Orleans after colliding with ex-Griz Xavier Henry, was back in the starting lineup Tuesday despite a deep bone bruise in his left knee. "There's nothing wrong with him, other than a bruise," Griz coach Lionel Hollins said.
That may be true, but Gasol looked slow against the Timberwolves, scoring only four points and grabbing just three rebounds in 33:30.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"I feel like when they (the Grizzlies) drafted me in '06 this is what they wanted and expected -- a player who improved from year-to-year and who helped build this team into a title contender." –-F Rudy Gay.
