CLEVELAND — Tony Allen returned from a knee injury to score a season-high 26 points, and the Memphis Grizzlies stunned the Cleveland Cavaliers for a 106-103 victory Monday night despite playing short-handed.
The Grizzlies were without five rotation players, including their three best, Marc Gasol, Mike Conley and Zach Randolph, yet they still managed to beat the best team the East. The Cavs committed a season-high 25 turnovers and didn’t seem to fully engage until the fourth quarter.
Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving had a chance to force overtime, but his 3-pointer at the buzzer bounced off the back of the iron. Irving scored 27 points, including 14 in the fourth period, and gave the Cavs their first lead with 2:39 remaining.
The teams traded the lead four times in the final 2:38, but the Grizzlies escaped when Allen beat LeBron James on a crucial jump ball in the final minute and Matthew Dellavedova was whistled for an off-the-ball foul during a Grizzlies’ inbounds pass, giving Memphis one shot and possession.
James finished with 28 points, nine rebounds and five assists, and Kevin Love had 14 points and 11 rebounds for Cleveland. Love shot 10 of 10 from the free-throw line.
JaMychal Green had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Grizzlies, while Mario Chalmers had 17 points and seven assists while starting in place of Conley. Lance Stephenson scored 17 points off the bench, and reserve Vince Carter added 15 for Memphis, which had lost its previous three meetings with the Cavs.
NOTES: Grizzlies G Mike Conley (foot) and F/C Chris Andersen (shoulder) are also expected to miss Wednesday’s game at Boston. “We’ll look at them more at the end of the week,” Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger said. “They are going to be out for a while.” … Grizzlies F Zach Randolph sat out due to a knee injury, while G Tony Allen was back from a knee injury. … Cleveland F LeBron James followed up his player of the month award for February by winning the player of the week award for the first week in March. … James on UFC fighter Conor McGregor’s upset loss Saturday to Nate Diaz: “Champions take lumps all the time. It doesn’t make you less of a man. It doesn’t make you less of a champion because you taken an L. … We always get caught up in wins and losses. He will be a champion for the rest of his life and no one can take it away from him.”