<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">It's been at least a week since the Grizzlies allowed 80 points. More time than that has elapsed since they even lost a game. And just like a picture in a frame, the method to these Grizzlies' madness remained the same Tuesday night throughout an 89-73 victory over the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets. "It's not always pretty," forward Shane Battier said. "We're not going to be confused with the Lakers of the 1980s. "We've got a ways to go and a lot to prove. But (defense) is our strength." The Griz are hardly looking for style points. The victories will do, and the common denominator during what has swelled into a six-game winning streak continued to be a strong effort without the basketball. Sure, Pau Gasol tossed in 29 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and blocked three shots. Sure, Bobby Jackson launched shots from all over the court and ended up amassing a season-high 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting off the bench. The Hornets, though, will remember leaving FedExForum with a season-low point total -- adding another notch in the Grizzlies' tight defensive strap. That the Griz held the Hornets to 19 points below their season scoring average and 39-percent shooting characterized a roll that matches their longest from last season. Consider this: Houston scored 10 fewer points than its season average. Orlando managed 16 fewer, Toronto was short 19 points. Dallas was the last team to score more than 80 points against the Griz. That was Nov. 26 and even the Mavs' 92-point outing was seven less than what they were accustomed to scoring. "If somebody gets beat," guard Eddie Jones explained, "then help the helper. This game is all about trust. We have that." The game plans haven't been too shabby, either. Again the Griz keyed on the top scorer and effectively closed the lane, forcing the Hornets to misfire from the perimeter. The Hornets' backcourt duo, Chris Paul and J.R. Smith, never got going. "We tried to load up and give extra help on (their guards), which is not an easy job," Griz coach Mike Fratello said. "When you do that, it gives other guys open looks." </div> Source
