MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Ricky Rubio had 29 points and eight rebounds, Rodney Hood scored 18 and the Utah Jazz beat the Memphis Grizzlies 92-88 on Wednesday night for their seventh straight victory.
Utah’s latest win was hardly indicative of its recent play on offence. During the streak, the Jazz had averaged almost 118 points and 52 per cent shooting. They made only 42 per cent of their shots against Memphis.
Andrew Harrison led the Grizzlies with a career-high 23 points, and Marc Gasol scored 20. JaMychal Green and Dillon Brooks added 11 apiece as Memphis lost its fifth straight.
Utah led by 11 in the fourth quarter, but Memphis cut it to 80-74 midway through the period. Utah never let Memphis get any closer. Mario Chalmers made a 3-pointer as the horn sounded for the final margin.
After a ragged first half, the Jazz held a 44-39 lead at the break. Both teams had committed 11 turnovers by halftime, and neither was shooting above 40 per cent.
Rubio had 16 points at the half, while Gasol scored 13 for Memphis.
Utah maintained a 68-63 lead entering the fourth, as both teams continued to struggle from the field.
Both teams ended the night shooting 42 per cent. The Jazz committed 20 turnovers, while Memphis had 16.
TIP-INS
Jazz: Royce O’Neal, the rookie from Baylor, missed his first 3-pointer, ending a streak of converting five straight from outside the arc over the past two games. . Rubio had his 36th game in double figures. . Rudy Gobert had 12 rebounds and two blocks.
Grizzlies: Memphis snapped a string of nine straight games allowing at least 100 points. . Interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff was ejected in the fourth quarter after drawing his second technical foul — both courtesy of official Marc Davis. . Davis also ejected Brooks in the closing minutes. . Gasol had three blocks and five assists.
UP NEXT
Jazz: Host the Charlotte Hornets on Friday.
Grizzlies: Travel to Oklahoma City to face the Thunder on Sunday.
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