MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Mike Conley scored a game-high 24 points, and the Memphis Grizzlies held off a fourth-quarter charge to defeat the Sacramento Kings 104-98 Wednesday night at FedExForum.
After trailing by as many as 21 points in the first half, the Kings rallied to gain a 91-88 lead with 5:55 left in the game. However, Memphis answered with a 10-0 run to go back up 98-91 with 3:28 to play. A jump shot from Marco Belinelli (16 points) at the 1:45 mark cut the lead to 100-97, but that was the Kings’ final field goal of the game.
Kings center DeMarcus Cousins posted a double-double with 18 points and 16 rebounds, and point guard Rajon Rondo dished out 17 assists to go along with six points and eight rebounds.
Memphis (36-24) got 19 points and eight rebounds from power forward Zach Randolph, and 15 points each off the bench from guard Mario Chalmers and forward JaMychal Green. Conley also had five assists and three steals.
Sacramento (24-35) lost its fourth straight. The Grizzlies swept the season series 3-0 and now have won 20 of their past 23 games against the Kings.
Down by 16 points at the half, Sacramento opened the third quarter with a 10-0 run to get back in the game. The Kings drew as close as three points and were down 83-78 heading into the fourth. Cousins scored 12 points in the third quarter.
The Kings shot 47.6 percent from the field and made 9-of-26 3-point attempts (34.6 percent). Memphis shot 44.3 percent from the floor and hit five of 18 treys (27.8 percent).
Guard Darren Collison scored 17 points off the bench for the Kings. Cousins, in addition to the points and rebounds, had six assists, three steals and two blocks but also committed seven of Sacramento’s 25 turnovers.
Memphis led 59-43 at halftime. The Grizzlies shot 46.8 percent through two quarters and had a 38-18 advantage on points in the paint.
Collison led all first-half scorers with 12 points and hit three of four from long distance. Randolph and Green each scored 10 first-half points for Memphis.
NOTES: Former Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau was with the Kings in Memphis, acting as a consultant, and slated to stay with the team until Saturday, according to Sacramento coach George Karl. “He’s a friend of basketball,” Karl said. “I think he’s intrigued by our offense and we’re probably intrigued by his defense.” … Memphis F/G Tony Allen missed his sixth straight game with a sore left knee. Coach Dave Joerger said, “I don’t have a timetable for him. He’s progressing in his rehab and his conditioning is still at a high level, so that’s positive. He didn’t do much at shootaround today.” … The Grizzlies waived rarely used F James Ennis, who was acquired from Miami in November in the trade that brought in backup PG Mario Chalmers, and re-signed journeyman C Ryan Hollins. … Kings F Rudy Gay missed his second consecutive game with a strained right shoulder.