Memphis Grizzlies Blog – Page 52 – NBA Blog

Grizzlies win 94-88, snap Thunder streak at 6

O.J. Mayo passed up one 3-pointer with the Memphis Grizzlies’ lead dwindling in the final minute.

He wasn’t going to do it again.

Mayo scored 22 points, including a key 3-pointer with 17 seconds left, and the Grizzlies prevented Oklahoma City from tying for the NBA’s best record by beating the Thunder 94-88 on Monday night.

“It was a good look. I had my feet set,” Mayo said. “I just wanted to knock it down.” …

Oklahoma City had pulled within a game of league-leading Chicago by blowing out the Bulls a day earlier, but the Grizzlies took the lead just after halftime and never gave it back.

Memphis won despite playing without starting point guard Mike Conley (sore right ankle) and reserve Dante Cunningham (sprained left ankle) for the second straight game…

Kevin Durant led the Thunder with 21 points and Russell Westbrook scored 19, with 12 coming as Oklahoma City tried to rally in the fourth quarter. After averaging 31.7 points and one turnover in his previous three games, Westbrook went 5 for 16 and committed four turnovers.

— Reported by the Associated Press

Heisley ends talks with Larry Ellison over sale of Grizzlies

Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley reiterated today his doubt that the franchise will be sold anytime soon.

How can Heisley be so sure?

He’s instructed his attorney, Stan Meadows, to stop negotiating with Oracle founder Larry Ellison because of Ellison’s repeated overtures about relocating the team.

“We’re not even considering Ellison,” Heisley said. “This team cannot be moved.”

Ellison recently signed a confidentiality agreement with Heisley and began an exploratory process to buy the Grizzlies. It was at least the third time Ellison inquired about the team over the past several years.

— Reported by Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal

Grizzlies re-assign Josh Selby to D-League

The Memphis Grizzlies today re-assigned guard Josh Selby to the Reno Bighorns, the Grizzlies’ NBA Development League affiliate. The assignment marks the 59th time an NBA player has been assigned to his NBA D-League affiliate during the 2011-12 season and is the second assignment for Selby.

Selby (6-2, 183, Kansas) returns to the Bighorns following a four-game assignment in February, when he averaged 21.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 30.8 minutes. He scored more than 20 points in three games with the Bighorns, including an NBA D-League career-high 26 points on Feb. 14 against the Austin Toros.

Originally selected by Memphis in the second round (49th overall) in the 2011 NBA Draft, Selby has appeared in 23 games for the Grizzlies this season, averaging 2.5 points, 1.2 assists and 8.8 minutes.

Grizzlies bring Zach Randolph off bench in win over Lakers

Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins turned to the starting lineup he’s used the most, re-inserting Marreese Speights in place of returning power forward Zach Randolph.

The move helped the otherwise lost Grizzlies head back in the right direction with a 102-96 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night in the Staples Center.

Memphis ended a three-game skid and avoided being swept on its four-game road trip. With a willing Randolph playing off the bench, the Griz displayed a renewed spirit and played arguably their most cohesive basketball on both ends of the court in a week.

“Our starters came out and played with a lot of heart and passion,” Hollins said.

The Griz hadn’t looked this sharp or scrappy since a March 13 double-overtime loss at home to the Lakers. They were without Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph for that game. This time, Gay’s scoring led the Grizzlies’ early charge and Randolph was a force late.

Randolph made 4 of 5 shots and grabbed five of his 12 rebounds in the fourth quarter. The veteran forward didn’t seem to mind coming off the bench, citing a need to work on his conditioning.

— Reported by Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies sign Gilbert Arenas

Once a beloved star in the NBA, free agent guard Gilbert Arenas has a new chance to prove to the basketball masses that he can help a team win.

The Memphis Grizzlies signed Arenas today, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced. According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, “Arenas, who was in Memphis the past two days, passed a physical and signed a one-year contract for the veteran’s minimum. Memphis will pay him a prorated salary worth about $300,000.”

A three-time All-Star (2004-07), Arenas holds career averages of 21.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.63 steals on .421 shooting in 35.8 minutes in 535 career games (455 starts) over 10 seasons (2001-11) with the Golden State Warriors, Washington Wizards and Orlando Magic. Selected by Golden State in the second round (30th overall) of the 2001 NBA Draft, Arenas’ career scoring average ranks ninth among active players (34th in NBA history).

During his time with the Wizards, the Los Angeles native developed into one of the league’s most dynamic guards, averaging 27.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists over a three-year stretch (2004-07) in which he was named to the All-NBA Second Team in 2007 and the All-NBA Third Team in 2005 and 2006. The 2002-03 NBA Most Improved Player ranked third in the league in points per game during the 2006-07 season (28.4), fourth in 2005-06 (29.3) and seventh in 2004-05 (25.5).

Most recently, the 30-year-old former University of Arizona standout split the 2010-11 season with Washington and Orlando, averaging 10.8 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 25.7 minutes in 70 games (16 starts).

The Grizzlies’ roster currently stands at 14 players. Memphis begins a four-game West Coast road trip tonight at 9 p.m. CT against the Sacramento Kings at the Power Balance Pavilion.

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Hornets recall Xavier Henry from D-League

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that the team has recalled guard Xavier Henry from the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League.

Henry (6-6, 220), appeared in last night’s 114-101 Energy loss to the Sioux Falls Skyforce. In 20 minutes of action last night in Des Moines, Henry collected 13 points and two steals. Prior to his D-League assignment yesterday, Henry appeared in 25 games for New Orleans this season, averaging 5.0 points and 1.9 rebounds.

Larry Ellison inquires about buying Grizzlies

Californian Larry Ellison, ranked as the third-richest person in the U.S., has inquired about buying the Memphis Grizzlies with apparent hopes of moving the team to San Jose.

But team owner Michael Heisley today downplayed the possibility of a sale — and of a relocation, citing a lease that ties the franchise to Memphis and FedExForum until 2021.

“I can’t downplay it enough. If it happens I’ll be surprised,” said Heisley, a Chicago-based billionaire who added that talks had not become serious. “It’s in the initial stages. We’ve handled this just like we’ve handled several other dozen requests. My situation in Memphis has not changed a lick. My preference will always be for somebody in Memphis to buy the team. There’s not any interest in Memphis. But we’ve always made it known that if somebody wants to buy the team, we’ll listen. If they’re real buyers we’ll probably be sellers. So far there hasn’t been anyone willing to buy the team under my terms and for my price.”

— Reported by Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal

Grizzlies trade Sam Young to 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that the team has acquired guard/forward Sam Young from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for the rights to Ricky Sanchez. The Sixers acquired Sanchez’s rights from Denver, along with Reggie Evans, in exchange for Steven Hunter and Bobby Jones on Sept. 10, 2007.

“We feel Sam’s overall skill set can be a valuable asset to our team and he adds to our depth at two positions,” Sixers President of Basketball Operations Rod Thorn said.

Young (6-6, 220) was originally the 36th overall pick by Memphis in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft. In 179 games with 49 starts for the Grizzlies, Young has averaged 6.9 points and 2.4 rebounds in 17.5 minutes per game while shooting 45.5% from the floor, 24.3% from 3-point range and 77.6% from the line.

Last season, Young appeared in 78 games with 46 starts for Memphis, averaging 7.3 points on 47.2% shooting and had more steals (68) than turnovers (61). The Grizzlies finished the season 29-15 after he was named a full-time starter and were 30-16 overall with him in the starting lineup. Over the final 36 games, Young averaged 10.6 points in 48.8% shooting.

The Grizzlies advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals for the first time in team history last season, with Young appearing in all 13 games with 11 starts. He averaged 7.5 points and 2.3 rebounds in 19.7 minutes per game and had a playoff career-high 18 points in Game 5 of Memphis’ first round series vs. San Antonio.

Young spent all four seasons at Pittsburgh and finished fourth on the school’s all-time scoring list. He was one of three seniors who comprised the all-time winningest class in Pitt history. As a senior, Young was an All-Big East First Team and AP All-American Third Team selection while also making the NCAA East Regional All-Tournament Team.

Sanchez (6-11, 220) currently plays in Argentina for Wuber Estudiantes de Bahia Blanca, where the 24-year-old has averaged 13.0 points and 5.1 rebounds in 42 games this season.

Originally selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the second round (35th overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft, the Guayama, Puerto Rico native also has played professionally in Puerto Rico (2001-04, 2007-11), the Continental Basketball Association (2005-06), the NBA Development League (2006-08), Venezuela (2009), Mexico (2009-11) and Spain (2011-12).

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Grizzlies interested in Gilbert Arenas

The Grizzlies are exploring the possibility of adding free-agent guard Gilbert Arenas, according to multiple NBA sources.

Arenas, 30, remains unemployed after the Orlando Magic made him one of the first casualties of the amnesty clause provided in the latest collective bargaining agreement.

Despite mutual interest, no deal will be completed until the Griz have the opportunity to see Arenas in a private workout. A source with knowledge of the negotiations indicated both parties were arranging a meeting.

— Reported by Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal

Grizzlies recall Josh Selby from D-League

The 19-15 Memphis Grizzlies have decided they miss guard Josh Selby and have brought him back from another dimension.

The Grizzlies today recalled Selby from the Reno Bighorns, the team’s NBA Development League affiliate, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced.

Selby (6-2, 183) saw action in four games with the Bighorns, including one start, and averaged 21.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.25 steals in 31.0 minutes. He shot .483 from the field, .500 from three-point territory and .714 from the free throw line.

He has averaged 2.9 points and 1.4 assists on .389 shooting in 10.3 minutes in 18 games during his rookie season with the Grizzlies. The 20-year-old was selected by Memphis in the second round (49th overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft.

The Baltimore native posted 7.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 26 appearances last year as a freshman at Kansas.

The Grizzlies host the Dallas Mavericks in the first game since the All-Star break on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at FedExForum.