Randolph, Mayo help Grizzlies end 11-game losing streak against Jazz

Grizzlies end 11-game skid against Jazz

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Zach Randolph had 29 points and 15 rebounds, O.J. Mayo hit a 21-foot step back jumper with 5.2 seconds left, and the Memphis Grizzlies escaped with a 91-89 victory over the Utah Jazz on Friday night.

Marc Gasol blocked C.J. Miles’ shot on Utah’s last possession, snapping the Jazz’s 11-game winning streak over the Grizzlies.

Rudy Gay finished with 22 points and Mayo had 14 for Memphis, which won its fifth straight home game. It is the first time Memphis has won five straight at home since the end of the 2005-06 season.

Mehmet Okur scored 16 points and Paul Millsap added 15 for the Jazz. Carlos Boozer had 13 points and 12 rebounds before fouling out with 37 seconds left. Deron Williams missed his second straight game with a sprained right wrist.

Utah erased a 19-point deficit and took an 87-86 lead on Boozer’s layup with 2:44 left. Mayo, Mike Conley and Gasol each hit a free throw as Memphis reclaimed the lead before Ronnie Brewer’s rebound dunk tied it at 89 with 23 seconds left.

Memphis got out fast, shooting 60 percent in the opening quarter to build a 33-14 lead, its biggest of the game. The Grizzlies forced seven early turnovers and held Utah to 29 percent shooting, and Randolph and Gay both had 14 points in the first half.

As well as they played in the first quarter, the Grizzlies couldn’t get much going in the second. They missed eight of their first nine shots and committed three straight turnovers against Utah’s physical defense.

That allowed the Jazz to open the period with a 16-5 run, cutting the Memphis advantage under double digits. Kyle Korver sparked the rally with seven points in the quarter, hitting three of his four shots.

The Grizzlies committed six turnovers in the second quarter and 17 for the game, and their lazy defense allowed the Jazz to pull within 49-40 at intermission.

The Jazz defensive pressure continued to cause headaches for Memphis, and Utah pulled within 67-64 late in the third. Okur had 12 points in the period for Utah, including a 3-pointer late in the quarter to cut the Memphis lead to 71-67 entering the final period.

Despite its early success, Memphis ended the night shooting 43 percent, but the Jazz only made 40 percent.

NOTES: The Grizzlies claimed rookie guard Lester Hudson off waivers Friday. Hudson, who played high school and community college ball in Memphis, was waived by the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. Hudson was a second-round pick of the Celtics. Utah’s 14 points in the first quarter was a season-low for a Grizzlies’ opponent. Memphis had not defeated Utah since a 132-130 overtime victory on Jan. 24, 2007. Gay was given a 3-point field goal with 3:40 left in the third period, but after officials reviewed the play during the next time out, they changed it to a 2-point basket.