WASHINGTON — Taking advantage of a Memphis team depleted by coach-mandated rest and injury, the Washington Wizards used a 25-6 second-quarter run to roll to a 107-87 victory over the Grizzlies on Thursday.
On the final leg of a four-game road swing, Memphis coach Dave Joerger rested starters Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph and Tony Allen, and sat guard Mike Conley, who suffered an ankle injury in the team’s loss Wednesday at Boston.
That decision put the game in the hand of Memphis’ reserves, and they started strong, shooting 59 percent in the first quarter to open a 33-26 lead. But the Grizzlies ran out of gas in the second period as Washington picked up the pace to run away with the game.
The Wizards led by as many as 27 and had four of five starters score in double figures as the second half quickly devolved into a blowout. Washington flirted with a season-high field-goal percentage for most of the night before a fourth quarter filled with reserves lowered their numbers to exactly 50 percent.
Marcin Gortat led all scorers with 22 points, and guard John Wall sparked the Wizards with 21, leading an up-tempo offense that outscored Memphis 23-11 on the fast break. Forward Paul Pierce chipped in with 17, including three 3-pointers.
The Wizards trailed 41-35 with 7:41 remaining in the second quarter before Wall and Pierce combined for 18 points to help turn the game in Washington’s favor, with Pierce draining a 3-pointer just before half to give the Wizards a 60-47 advantage.
All 11 Grizzlies who played scored. Jarnell Stokes, who was called up from the Iowa Energy of the NBA Developmental League hours before the game, and JaMychal Green led Memphis with 13 points. But the Grizzlies, who lost three of four on the road trip, committed 23 turnovers, leading to 27 Washington points.
Nene missed the game for the Wizards, for what the team called “personal reasons.”
NOTES: The Wizards signed G Toure’ Murry to a 10-day contract Thursday, providing bench help as G Garrett Temple recovers from a hamstring injury. Murry played one game this season for Utah before being waived. … Memphis coach Dave Joerger wasn’t sure of the extent of G Mike Conley’s ankle injury, saying the team needed to get home before a determination could be made. “It’s hard for me to say, right here, right now, on the second of a back-to-back,” Joerger said. … The Wizards had a team outing at the White House on Wednesday, taking part in a bowling tournament at the Harry S. Truman bowling alley in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Avid bowler Paul Pierce won the tourney. … Georgetown alum Jeff Green returned to the building where he played college ball. Joerger asked if Green needed his tickets. To the coach’s surprise, Green said no.