NEW YORK — The Memphis Grizzlies won their third straight game, turning back the New York Knicks, 103-82, Monday at Madison Square Garden.
The Southwest Division-leading Grizzlies (50-21) were led by forward Zach Randolph’s 23 points. Center Marc Gasol added 21 points and eight rebounds.
Andrea Bargnani led the under-manned Knicks (14-57), who dressed just nine players due to various injuries, with 18 points and point guard Langston Galloway contributed 17 points. New York has dropped 11 of its last 13 games and is riding a four-game losing streak.
The Knicks have lost 15 games by 20 points or more. They made just 4-of-18 3-pointers and committed 17 turnovers against Memphis.
Memphis led by as many as 14 points in the first quarter, then evaded a brief Knicks lead in the third quarter to hold on for its 23rd win on the road.
The Knicks got to within 85-74 with 5:30 to play, but the Grizzlies closed it out with a 14-5 burst to stay ahead 99-79 at the 2:33 mark.
New York took its first lead of the game, 51-50, when Galloway drained a 3-pointer with 10:50 remaining in the third, however, Memphis countered with a 24-10 burst to close the quarter with a comfortable 74-61 advantage.
Gasol tossed in nine points in the run as the Knicks made just 3-of-19 shots from the floor and turned the ball over five times in the sequence.
Bargnani dropped in nine points in the second quarter to help the Knicks reach to within 50-48 at the half. New York trailed the entire first half and was just 1-of-8 from 3-point range.
Memphis controlled the paint in the first quarter, outscoring the Knicks 18-6 down low. Gasol did most of the damage, scoring 10 points and grabbing four rebounds, helping the Grizzlies to a 30-20 first-quarter advantage.
The Grizzlies built a 25-11 cushion, their largest lead of the quarter. The inexperienced Knicks turned the ball over seven times in the quarter.
NOTES: The Knicks were without G Alexey Shved (rib contusion), F Travis Wear (sore lower back), G Cleanthony Early (sprained left ankle), G Tim Hardaway Jr. (sprained right wrist) and G Jose Calderon (sore left Achilles). … The nine Knicks who dressed have a combined 34 years of NBA experience. … New York used its 31st different starting lineup in 71 games. … Grizzlies F Zach Randolph is seventh in the league in rebounding (11 per game). … Memphis ranks sixth in the NBA in steals (8.76) and turnovers (13.4) per game.