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Grizzlies rout Lakers

Published:Tuesday | January 4, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen (left) blocks the shot of Los Angeles Lakers guard Shannon Brown, during the second half of their NBA basketball game on Sunday in Los Angeles. The Grizzlies won 104-85. - AP

LOS ANGELES (AP):

Rudy Gay and the Memphis Grizzlies didn't get overly excited about beating the Los Angeles Lakers so thoroughly that the Staples Center crowd booed their two-time champions off the court.

The Grizzlies were just pleased they had seized their second chance for a fresh start to the new year.

Gay scored 27 points, Zach Randolph added 21 points and eight rebounds and the Grizzlies roared away in the second half for a 104-85 victory over the lifeless Lakers on Sunday night.

One day after a rough loss at Utah and four days after losing to the NBA-worst Sacramento Kings, the Grizzlies' blow-out had their bench standing in celebration for much of the second half.

"Whenever you play good basketball, things like this happen," said Gay, who spent most of the past three days off in bed with a stomach virus. "It's just like any other team. Every other team in this league is looking at them like they're just another team to beat. With all due respect to them, they're a great team, but I felt that we came out here and played great basketball."

O.J. Mayo scored 15 points for the Grizzlies, who made a 19-4 run in the third quarter to take a 17-point lead. Los Angeles never threatened to get back in it despite a 21-point second half by Kobe Bryant (28 points) and the Lakers were left wondering how the Grizzlies are just 15-19 after losing to Memphis twice in less than five weeks.

Decidedly average lakers

Los Angeles still lead the woeful Pacific Division by eight games, but the Lakers have looked decidedly average for most of the past two weeks.

"We didn't execute well and defensively, we were poor," Bryant said. "We've just got to come out focused and ready to play. It's tough when you have to try to regenerate that energy every single night. It starts individually. You have to look at yourself and try to find things to get you going. Right now we can't beat anybody, but we'll be fine."

In other games on Sunday, New York Knicks beat Indiana Pacers 98-92, Atlanta Hawks beat Los Angeles Clippers 107-98, Boston Celtics beat Toronto Raptors 93-79, Dallas Mavericks topped Cleveland Cavaliers 104-95, Portland Trail-blazers nailed Houston Rockets 100-85 and Sacramento Kings out-lasted Phoenix Suns 94-89.