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In the zone Grizzlies change second-half defense to knock off MagicPosted: Monday March 24, 2003 10:23 PMUpdated: Tuesday March 25, 2003 1:27 AM
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- The Memphis Grizzlies used a zone defense to slow down Tracy McGrady and the Orlando Magic. The Grizzlies unsuccessfully chased McGrady for a half, then switched defenses to contain him and the rest of the Magic down for the final two periods en route to a 110-104 victory Monday night. McGrady scored 28 of his 34 points in the first half, hitting 10 of 13 shots from the field and all five of his free throw attempts. The Magic shot 60 percent as a team. In the second half, however, Memphis threw a floating 2-3 zone at Orlando that clogged up the inside. McGrady hit only one of 10 shots from the field and Orlando shot only 37.5 percent as a team in the second half.
The Grizzlies got a balanced effort from their starters, all of whom reached double figures. Pau Gasol led the way with 26 points and eight rebounds, but Jason Williams' 17 points and 15 assists probably made the difference in the game. Magic coach Doc Rivers wasn't sure if the defense was effective or if his team just shot poorly. Orlando was 9-for-30 on 3-pointers, after a win in Miami the night before. "I thought we settled for a lot of jump shots," Rivers said. "A case can be made that when you play back-to-back it's easier to take a jumper than take a drive, but that's not what we should do. Anytime you shoot 30 3s in a game, you should lose." McGrady missed his last six 3-point attempts and was 3-for-10 from that range for the game. The Magic shot only 37.5 percent in the second half, when they committed 11 of their 17 turnovers. Memphis went ahead for the first time in the game when Williams began the second half with a 15-foot jumper. That started an 11-2 run that game the Grizzlies a 71-63 lead with 9:27 left in the third period. That advantage grew to 86-74 after Ryan Humphrey hit a follow shot against his former team with 1:47 left in the quarter. The Magic outscored Memphis 13-2 at the end of the third and the first three minutes of the fourth quarter to close the gap to 88-87 on Darrell Armstrong's layup with 9:27 left. That was as close as they would get, however. Williams was instrumental in forcing the pace of play, trying to turn every possession into a fast break or breaking down defenders in Orlando's half-court offense. His floater in the lane with 53 seconds left gave Memphis a 104-98 cushion that held up in the final minute. "I think we were the hungrier team, Williams said. "We knew Tracy was going to get his 30 or 40 or whatever, we just had to shut down their other guys and keep everyone on our team involved. We stuck to that game plan pretty good."
Notes: Grizzlies C Stromile Swift didn't play because of a thumb
injury. ... Magic PF Drew Gooden sat out his third straight game
with a sprained big toe. ... Memphis is now 1-6 against the Magic
in Orlando. Tracy McGrady has a three-pointer in 40 straight games,
the longest active streak in the NBA. ... Grizzlies PG Jason
Williams has 57 assists and seven turnovers in his last three
games. ... Magic C Steven Hunter had a career-high four blocked
shots.
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