Even Brown’s Influence Can’t Help Grizzlies Yet

Two days of practice under the direction of Hubie Brown weren’t enough for the Memphis Grizzlies to reverse their losing ways.

Wally Szczerbiak scored six of his 22 points in the last two minutes at Memphis, Tenn., to spoil Brown’s return to coaching as Minnesota defeated Memphis, 99-95, handing the Grizzlies their ninth consecutive loss.

“We asked a lot,” said Hubie Brown, who returned to coaching after 16 years away. “We’re very happy with what they did in two days and how they accepted the hard work.”

Brown began working with the Grizzlies on Wednesday, one day after former coach Sidney Lowe resigned with Memphis the only winless team in the NBA.

Memphis (0-9) trailed by only one point when Szczerbiak made a three-point basket with 28 seconds left to give the Timberwolves a 97-93 lead. It was Minnesota’s only three-pointer.

Kevin Garnett led the Timberwolves with 28 points. Gordan Giricek led Memphis with 25 points, and Drew Gooden had 18.

The Grizzlies were tougher on defense than they have been for much of the season.

Memphis point guard Jason Williams, criticized for slacking off on defense, often picked up his man in the backcourt. “That’s the first time I ever played defense like that in my whole career,” Williams said. “It’s not like I can’t do it. It’s either do it or sit on the bench and I don’t like sitting on the bench.”

Phoenix 88, Houston 87 -- Stephon Marbury scored 10 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, including a layup with 6.3 seconds left that gave the Suns a victory at Phoenix. Shawn Marion scored 27 and Penny Hardaway was two rebounds shy of a triple-double as the Suns won their fourth in a row. Marbury’s game-winner was the only basket for either team in the last 2:02.

Yao Ming scored in double figures for the first time in the NBA with 10 points on five-for-six shooting in 14 minutes.

Seattle 111, Sacramento 97 -- Desmond Mason had 20 points and tied a career-high with 17 rebounds, leading six players in double figures for the SuperSonics at Seattle. At 7-2, the Sonics are off to their best start since opening 9-2 in 1999-2000. The Kings, already missing point guard Mike Bibby (foot) and reserve forward Scot Pollard (back), didn’t have sharp-shooting Peja Stojakovic, who sat out because of a strained foot tendon.

Toronto 84, Denver 79 -- Voshon Lenard scored 19 points and Antonio Davis had 18, the two combining for the Raptors’ final 12 points as at Toronto. After Davis’ two free throws cut Denver’s lead to two, Lenard made a three-pointer to give Toronto the lead for good with 1:47 left.

Indiana 103, Milwaukee 100 -- Ron Artest scored 22 points and made the game-winning three-point play in overtime as the Pacers remained unbeaten at Indianapolis. With the Pacers trailing 100-99, Artest had the ball in the low right post. He spun around Ray Allen, tossed up a leaning, one-handed shot and went crashing to the floor as the ball went through.

New Jersey 93, Miami 84 -- Jason Kidd scored 33 points and made two pivotal plays midway through the second half to lead the Nets at Miami. The Heat has lost four in a row and is 1-6, its worst start in eight seasons.

New Orleans 105, Chicago 87 -- Baron Davis and David Wesley scored 22 points apiece as the Hornets improved to 6-0 in their new home.

Detroit 86, Utah 75 -- Richard Hamilton scored 25 points as the Pistons improved to 4-0 at Auburn Hills, Mich.