MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Longtime Memphis Grizzly Marc Gasol carried the team throughout the game. The team’s newest member closed out an unexpected win.
Gasol scored 36 points, but it was a pair of free throws by reserve guard Toney Douglas with less a second left that closed out Memphis’ 88-86 comeback victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night.
“We gave them everything we could. We just threw the kitchen sink at them,” said Memphis coach David Fizdale, who watched his team overcome an 11-point deficit in the final 5 minutes. “I don’t know if we got lucky or what.”
Douglas’ last-second free throws gave him 11 points, including the game’s final six to seal Memphis’ fifth consecutive victory. The Grizzlies have won 12 straight that either went to overtime or were decided by five points or less.
“I wish I could tell you,” Gasol said when asked about Memphis’ ability to pull out close games. “We just keep fighting. You’ve seen it in many games now where we just don’t let go of the rope.”
Gasol was 13 of 24 from the field, including 4 of 6 from outside the arc. But Douglas, signed by Memphis this week because of injuries, took over down the stretch. The guard scored on a 19-footer with 34 seconds left, then converted two pairs of free throws in the last 20 seconds.
CJ McCollum led the Trail Blazers with 24 points, and Damian Lillard had 19. Evan Turner had 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Portland held a 79-68 lead after Al-Farouq Aminu scored inside with 5:28 left. But Memphis clicked off a 14-2 rally, Gasol collecting nine points in the stretch capped by a 30-footer from Troy Daniels with 1:35 remaining.
The game settled into a one-possession contest at that point, including four ties. Portland center Mason Plumlee split a pair of free throws with 7 seconds left, and the Grizzlies pushed the ball down court. Douglas’ pump fake drew a foul from Lillard with a half-second remaining.
“It’s a tough call,” Lillard said. “I think at that point of the game, there are some calls you make, and there are some you just play basketball. You can’t be as technical about it.”
TIP-INS
Blazers: Turner started his first game of the season due to an injury to Maurice Harkless. … G Allen Crabbe finished with seven points after scoring at least 14 in four straight games. …Plumlee had four points, ending his streak of seven straight games in double figures.
Grizzlies: Fizdale finally said enough about calls and no-calls late in the first half to earn a technical. Lillard missed the ensuing free throw to open the third. …Gasol also got a tech in the third quarter for arguing a call. .Tony Allen had 15 points and 10 rebounds for Memphis. … F JaMychal Green had a career-high 18 rebounds. His previous best was 17 this week in a win at New Orleans.
EXTENSIONS
Earlier Thursday, the Grizzlies announced they have agreed to multi-year extensions with general manager Chris Wallace, John Hollinger, executive vice president of basketball operations, and Ed Stefanski, executive vice president of player personnel. Terms were not disclosed.
HARKLESS HURT
Portland forward Maurice Harkless did not play because of a left ankle sprain suffered late in Portland’s 115-107 loss at Milwaukee on Wednesday night. “I remember him wincing. He was on the free throw line,” Blazers coach Terry Stotts said. “It was late in the game, like the last 2 minutes.”
HELLO, MR. DOUGLAS:
Douglas was signed Monday by the team because of multiple injuries for the Grizzlies. His name isn’t even on a locker. But Fizdale recognized the guard’s importance. “We don’t win that game without him. Fresh off the street, but that’s who he is. .He’s a bulldog.”
UP NEXT
Trail Blazers: Portland hits the middle game of a five-game trip, landing in Indiana on Saturday to face the Pacers.
Grizzlies: Memphis continues its homestand Saturday against the Gold State Warriors.
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