"Zach Randolph was the Grizzlies' best 3-point shooter for all but about three seconds of regulation play. He accounted for the team's only long-range shot until 2.8 seconds remained in the fourth quarter. And that's when Rudy Gay made the Grizzlies' second 3-pointer of the night count for a lot. Gay buried a shot from beyond the arc to force overtime as the fourth-quarter buzzer sounded Wednesday night, and the Griz pulled away in the extra session for a 104-98 victory over the Phoenix Suns in US Airways Center. "That was a hard-fought, much-needed win," Griz coach Lionel Hollins said. It was the second dramatic game between the teams here this season. Phoenix won a double-overtime thriller Nov. 5 after Memphis led by 18 in that game. This time, the Griz (9-14) blew a 15-point, second-half lead but came back to end a four-game losing streak. They also ended a string of six consecutive losses on the road. "It just says we're competitors," Gay said. Memphis controlled the overtime period. Randolph's 6-foot shot with 8.7 seconds left gave the Griz a 102-98 advantage and sealed the win. Randolph owned the paint with a season-high 34 points and 17 rebounds. The game was Randolph's first this season with at least 30 points and 15 rebounds. He accomplished those statistics seven times last season. The performance was almost wasted as Phoenix won the fourth quarter, 28-14. Randolph, however, came up big on the Grizzlies' final possession in regulation by setting a screen that freed Gay for a game-tying shot from the corner. "As soon as it left his hand, I knew it was in," Randolph said. "He's good at those game-tying, game-winning shots." Gay said the play was executed perfectly. "We all know Zach can rebound and score," Gay said. "But just when we needed him to set a great screen, he did. He's a winner." Three-pointers played a big role in this one even though neither team shot the long ball well." Read more: http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/dec/08/randolph-gay-hit-key-3-pointers-memphis-grizzlies/
