Grizzlies hang on for 106-96 win over Trail Blazers

Grizzlies hang on for 106-96 win

PORTLAND, Ore. — Zach Randolph scored 21 points and Marc Gasol and O.J. Mayo added 19 each and Memphis withstood a second-half rally by Portland to beat the Trail Blazers 106-96 Friday night.

Memphis led by 29 points during the first half on the way to winning for the fifth time in seven games. Portland cut the Grizzlies’ lead to eight points during the fourth quarter.

Randolph hit 10 of 20 shots, and scored nine points during the fourth quarter. Gasol added 15 rebounds while Jamaal Tinsley scored 16 points for the Grizzlies.

Portland’s Brandon Roy had 26 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. Martell Webster scored a season-high 24 points for the Blazers.

Portland led 15-11 with 6:33 left in the first quarter when the Grizzlies took over.

Memphis scored 21 consecutive points, including the final 18 points of the first quarter.

Portland went scoreless for 8 minutes, 29 seconds when Andre Miller scored early in the second quarter. But the run continued for Memphis, as the Grizzlies eventually outscored the Blazers 31-2 during a stretch of nearly 12 minutes to take a 42-17 lead.

Memphis built its lead by as much as 29 points before Portland finished the first half by scoring the final seven points to cut the deficit to 61-39.

The 61 points during the first half were a season high against Portland’s defense, which gives up an average of 88.5 points.

Portland improved its defense after halftime, holding Memphis to three baskets during the final eight minutes of the third quarter to cut the lead to 77-63 heading into the fourth quarter.

Hasheem Thabeet scored eight of his nine points during the first four minutes of the fourth quarter to help Memphis control a sizable lead. Portland later ran off seven unanswered points to cut the lead to 93-83, but couldn’t get closer than eight points after that.

Notes: Memphis’ 21-0 run during the first half tied a franchise record, and is the longest run on the road in team history. The win ended an eight-game losing streak by Memphis against Portland. … The Grizzlies won for the first time in eight road games against a Western Conference opponent this season. … Portland had won its previous six home games by an average margin of 17.1 points. … Webster tied a career high with six 3-pointers.