76ers get revenge on Grizzlies
The 76ers had won eight of 10 games since losing at Memphis on Nov. 10 just before a blockbuster trade with Minnesota for All-Star guard Jimmy Butler.
With the addition of Butler, Philadelphia entered Sunday night’s game against the Grizzlies at Wells Fargo Center as one of the NBA’s hottest teams.
Memphis led briefly late in the first quarter but never again as the 76ers avenged last month’s defeat with a 10395 victory over the Grizzlies in the final meeting between the teams.
The Grizzlies (13-9) have lost four of their last five games.
Another clutch situation
The Grizzlies played a 12th straight game decided with a “clutch” finish, defined as games with a point differential of five or less in the last five minutes.
Yet, in this one, it felt like they were playing from behind the entire time.
Mike Conley cut the Grizzlies’ deficit to 93-89 with 2:03 left on a pair of free throws, but the 76ers closed calmly from there.
The Grizzlies are now 7-7 in clutch situations this season.
Adding Butler appears to have pushed Philadelphia from the middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference playoff picture to a championship-caliber team.
But against Memphis early on Sunday, it was mostly young stars Simmons and Embiid and journeyman J.J. Redick who shined.
Embiid bullied the Grizzlies in the first half, forcing three fouls in under two minutes on reserve Grizzlies forward Ivan Rabb.
Butler came on late and finished with 21 points, but Redick finished with a game-high 24 on 9-of-17 shooting.
Simmons packed the stat sheet and presented match up problems for the Grizzlies all night, finishing with 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting with 12 rebounds and six assists.
Marc Gasol quiet
Two nights after playing a team-high 47 minutes in a double-overtime win at the New York Nets, Gasol was quiet Sunday.
Listed as questionable entering the game because of right knee soreness, the 33-year-old still played a team-high 38 minutes against the 76ers. But he finished with just 12 points and four rebounds. It was Gasol’s lowest scoring output since Nov. 5.
Gasol and Conley combined to shoot 10-of-31 from the field. Conley led the Grizzlies with 21 points followed by Jaren Jackson Jr. with 17.
Bench boost
JaMychal Green and MarShon Brooks continued providing offensive punch off the bench. Brooks scored 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting in 21 minutes. Green scored 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting with seven rebounds and four steals in 25 minutes.
Otherwise, the Grizzlies bench provided little offensive production, with Shelvin Mack’s two points accounting for the rest of the unit’s contributions.
Up next
The Grizzlies host the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday (7 p.m. Fox Sports Southeast) and will try to avenge a 112107 overtime road loss on Nov. 23.
Reach David Cobb at david. cobb@commercialappeal.com.