The Memphis Grizzlies did something for the first time since moving to Memphis from Vancouver and starting play in the Bluff City in 2001 – thanks to Rudy Gay.
Memphis got off to a rip-roaring start, edging the Orlando Magic, 86-84, last Friday night before an appreciative crowd of 18,139 at the FedEx Forum.
Gay made his way along the baseline, got a pick from rookie, Marc Gasol, and took the inbounds pass to score on a turnaround jumper at the buzzer. Gay skied with so much lift, it appeared as if he was on a pogo stick. The crowd, which included owner Michael Heisley, went into a frenzy.
It was the Grizzlies first win of the season, and the team’s first victory in a home opener since moving to Memphis.
Gay carried the Grizz down the stretch. Memphis trailed the Magic most of the second half and fell behind by as much as 19 points. Gay topped all scorers with 29 points. Despite having to rally, the Grizz gave a good accounting except for a cold spell near the end of the first half.
Coach Mark Iavaroni was proud of the way the Grizz performed with three rookies in the starting lineup. Heisley was abuzz.
“It was the best I have seen them play since I have been coming here,”
said Heisley, who congratulated Iavaroni at his post-game conference.
The Grizz didn’t have long to savor the victory. Such is the case in the NBA, as Memphis boarded a plane for Chicago to play the Bulls Saturday. Former U of M Tiger, Derrick Rose, led the Bulls with 26 points as Memphis dropped a 96-86 decision.
After a day off, the Grizz got a superb effort from rookie Marc Gasol (27 points and 16 rebounds), who led the way en route to a 90-79 win over the Golden State Warriors (1-3). Gay and rookie O.J. Mayo contributed 14 and 13 points respectively in the win Monday night on the home floor.
The Grizz (2-2) begin a four-game road trip Thursday, Nov. 5 at Sacramento, with stops at Golden State, Denver, and Phoenix before returning to Memphis to tangle with the New York Knicks, Wednesday, Nov. 12 at the FedEx Forum.
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