Zach Randolph’s double-double powers Memphis Grizzlies to 102-96 win over Denver Nuggets

Randolph powers Grizzlies to win

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Zach Randolph had 32 points and a career-high 24 rebounds to help the Memphis Grizzlies hold on for a 102-96 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.

Randolph’s rebound total, including nine on the offensive end, was the highest in the league this season. His work down the stretch allowed Memphis to weather a Denver rally that got the Nuggets within two with 3:22 left when Carmelo Anthony hit an 18-foot jumper.

Randolph’s 3-pointer with 43 seconds left, only his third 3 of the season, gave Memphis a 100-91 lead.

Rudy Gay had 19 points for Memphis, which snapped an eight-game losing streak to Denver. Marc Gasol had 14 points and 13 rebounds, and O.J. Mayo and Mike Conley scored 11 apiece.

Anthony led the Nuggets with 41 points, and Nene finished with 19. Chris Andersen had a season-high 14 rebounds.

Memphis almost squandered its 23-point lead in the first half as Anthony carried Denver in the second half, scoring 25 after the break.

The Nuggets were playing their second straight game without point guard Chauncey Billups, their second-leading scorer. Billups is recovering from a left groin strain.

Denver was lethargic at the start of the game and Memphis scored the first four points of the second quarter to take a 37-19 lead. The Grizzlies led by as many as 23.

But Memphis was sloppy at the start of the second half, letting the Nuggets get back into the game. Denver scored the first seven points in the third, and cut the deficit to 69-60 on an Anthony dunk.

Memphis still managed to carry an 80-67 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Grizzlies ended the game with a 56-38 advantage on the boards, and a 64-44 margin in the paint.

NOTES: Ty Lawson, the rookie out of North Carolina, earned his first career start, replacing Billups. Denver is the only division leader in the NBA with a losing record on the road. The Nuggets dropped to 7-8 away from home with Sunday’s loss. Memphis’ last victory over the Nuggets was a 133-118 decision on April 14, 2007. Nene and Randolph got tangled up under the Memphis basket in the fourth, leading to double technicals. Mayo also got a technical for his part in the fracas. Dwight Howard of Orlando previously held the high-rebound mark in the league this season with 23 against Indiana on Dec. 14. Andersen’s previous high for rebounds this season was 11 on five occasions.