Pelicans beat by Grizzlies in overtime
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- Lance Stephenson scored a career-high 33 points, Matt Barnes recorded a triple-double with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, and the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 121-114 in overtime Friday night.
JaMychal Green also recorded a career-high 21 points, while grabbing 10 rebounds as Memphis won for fifth time in its last seven. Rookie point guard Briante Weber, signed to a 10-day contract earlier in the day, added 10 points and seven assists.
Jrue Holiday led the Pelicans with 34 points and 10 assists, while Anthony Davis had 25 points and 13 rebounds. Ryan Anderson had 24 points and Dante Cunningham scored 17 as New Orleans lost its second straight and sixth in the last seven.
New Orleans had the last possession in regulation, inbounding the ball with 1.2 seconds left. Jarell Martin blocked the inbounds pass for Memphis, sending the game to overtime.
Memphis scored the first four points in overtime on a bucket by Green and a dunk from Stephenson. New Orleans never recovered as Memphis outscored the Pelicans 22-15 in the extra period - the 22 points a franchise record for an overtime frame.
Memphis sealed the game by converting five of six free throws in the final 26.3 seconds, including a pair from Weber with 21.7 seconds left and the Grizzlies up 118-114.
Memphis was short-handed while dealing with an array of injuries, including being without starting guard Mike Conley and backup Mario Chalmers. That led to the Grizzlies starting Weber in his first appearance with the team.
Despite being without the core of its starters, including center Marc Gasol and forward Zach Randolph, Memphis cobbled together pieces throughout the game. It took career nights from an array of players to escape with an overtime victory.
New Orleans took an early nine-point lead as Memphis was still trying to find some familiarity with the new pieces.
The Grizzlies benefited from New Orleans opening the second quarter hitting only two of its first 10 shots. That allowed Memphis to erase the early deficit.
Memphis used the second-quarter performance for a 48-47 lead at the break as Stephenson had 16 points.
Holiday registered 15 for New Orleans in the half, while Davis had 10 despite hitting only three of eight shots in the half.
The Grizzlies relied on their defense and a couple of baskets from Tony Allen to stretch the lead to seven in the third quarter before holding a 73-66 lead entering the fourth.
New Orleans didn't take long to threaten Memphis' lead. Anderson had seven points in a 10-2 run early in the fourth. Anderson would add a 3-point play to leave the game at 79-all near the 8-minute mark.
The game would be tied again at 85 and then 95 at the end of regulation
TIP-INS:
Pelicans: Davis, in his fourth season, turned 23 Friday and recorded his 34th double-double of the season. ... G Norris Cole missed his second straight game with lower back soreness. ... Toney Douglas started his first game of the season. ... Anderson, Davis and Holiday all reached at least 20 points for the fifth time in the same game this season.
Grizzlies: Before joining Memphis, Weber played for the Sioux Falls Skyforce, for whom he averaged 10.6 points, 4.1 assists and almost two steals. ... The Grizzlies' injured list included C Marc Gasol, F Zach Randolph, G Mike Conley, F Brandan Wright and C Chris Andersen. On Thursday, the team waived G Mario Chalmers, who ruptured his right Achilles tendon in the second half of Wednesday's loss in Boston. ... Add Vince Carter to the injured list. Carter left Friday's game in the second quarter with a lower left leg injury and did not return. ... It was the Grizzlies' second annual Wrestling Night, drawing a sellout crowd - the team's 12th of the season. Wrestling masks were given out as a promotion.
UP NEXT
Pelicans: Visit Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday
Grizzlies: Visit the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday