Nets Comeback Falls Short Versus Grizzlies

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.— Pau Gasol scored 22 points and Juan Carlos Navarro had 16 points and 11 rebounds as the Memphis Grizzlies posted consecutive wins for the first time this season with 110–103 victory over the Nets last night.

Mike Miller hit his first five shots and finished with 19 points for Memphis, while Damon Stoudamire added 13 and Kyle Lowry had 10, including a clutch layup with 1:42 to play after New Jersey cut an early 18-point deficit to 99–98. Vince Carter scored a season-high 32 points and Jason Kidd added 12 points, 12 assists and 15 rebounds in posting his 91st career triple-double. Richard Jefferson added 27 points for the Nets, who had a three-game winning streak snapped.

Memphis never trailed but it was desperate in the fourth quarter to hold off the Nets, who wrapped up a 3–1 West Coast road trip in Los Angeles on Sunday.

The Grizzlies seemed to be in control when Gasol hit a jumper with 6:05 to play for a 95–87 lead. However, Jefferson hit two free throws, Carter made a layup and Jefferson converted a three-point play in a 7–2 run that cut the lead to 97–94 with 3:16 to go.

Jefferson had a chance to tie the game with a 3-pointer, but he missed and Navarro got the rebound and was fouled by Kidd. Navarro made both shots and added another seconds later after grabbing the rebound of a missed floater by Carter for a 104–98 lead.

New Jersey never got close again.