Grizzlies Are Too Quick for Rockets

The Memphis Grizzlies are not only beating teams, they’re knocking them out early.

The Grizzlies raced to a 20-point lead in the first quarter Friday night at Memphis and never let up, defeating the Houston Rockets, 109-86.

“We made shots, and we got defensive stops, and that was big for us,” forward James Posey said. “We just ran off with it. If you’re hitting your shots, and on the defensive end, you’re getting steals, deflections and getting out on the break, you dictate your game.”

Stromile Swift had 19 points and 10 rebounds for Memphis, which won its fourth consecutive game and 12th in its last 14.

The win, coupled with Dallas’ 119-118 overtime loss at Miami, left the Grizzlies two games ahead of the Mavericks for the fifth playoff spot in the Western Conference, and one game behind San Antonio for fourth.

Five Grizzlies finished in double figures in a game so lopsided that most of the starters were on the bench for the final 10 minutes. The Grizzlies led by as many as 29 points.

Miami 119, Dallas 118 -- Rafer Alston’s three-point basket with 0.5 seconds left in overtime at Miami lifted the Heat to its seventh win in a row.

Lamar Odom made the first of two free throws after he was intentionally fouled to pull Miami within two points, 118-116, with 4.1 seconds left. Odom missed the second free throw, and the ball was tipped out of bounds with 2.5 seconds left. Alston caught the inbounds pass from Caron Butler and made the winning shot from the left corner.

Dwyane Wade had 24 points for Miami, which extended its home winning streak to eight games. Odom had 26 points and 18 rebounds to help the Heat remain sixth in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Indiana 107, Orlando 92 -- Ron Artest scored a career-high 35 points to lead the Pacers at Orlando. Jermaine O’Neal, Indiana’s leading scorer and rebounder, was sidelined because of a bruised right knee. Al Harrington had 19 points in his place in the Pacers’ third straight victory.

The Magic, loser of seven straight, played without Tracy McGrady, the league’s leading scorer. He was sidelined with tendinitis in his left knee.

With more shots available, former Laker Tyronn Lue set a career-high with 32 points. His 13 baskets and 19 attempts also were career bests.

New York 108, Toronto 101 -- Vince Carter scored 40 points for the Raptors at Madison Square Garden, but it wasn’t enough against the Knicks, who had three players out because of injuries. Stephon Marbury had 38 points and nine assists to lead the Knicks. Tim Thomas and Penny Hardaway did not play because of groin injuries, and Allan Houston (bruised quadriceps) played only eight minutes.

Philadelphia 86, Cleveland 71 -- The win at Philadelphia enabled the 76ers to keep their once-fading playoff hopes alive. They won their third straight game, all without injured All-Star Allen Iverson. The 76ers pulled to within one game of the Cavaliers, who are a half-game behind Boston for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East.

Boston 102, New Jersey 93 -- Paul Pierce’s 34 points at Boston led the Celtics past the Nets and into eighth place in the East. Despite the loss, the Nets clinched a playoff berth when Cleveland lost to Philadelphia.

The Nets played without Jason Kidd, on the injured list with a bone bruise in his left knee, and Kenyon Martin, who has tendinitis in his left knee.

Milwaukee 115, Chicago 105 -- The Bucks overcame an injury to Keith Van Horn at Chicago to remain in fifth place in the East. Van Horn did not return after spraining his left ankle in the first quarter. He scored six points. In his third appearance with the Bulls, former Laker Jannero Pargo scored a career-high 34 points.

Phoenix 99, New Orleans 94 -- The Hornets made nine of 18 shots in the fourth quarter at New Orleans, including four of six three-pointers. Jamaal Magloire’s jump hook made the score 95-94 with 35 seconds left, but Joe Johnson made a jump shot over David Wesley with 13 seconds left.

Seattle 102, Denver 86 -- The SuperSonics gained ground in their quest for a playoff berth and Ray Allen scored 27 points to lead them to their seventh win in a row.

The victory at Seattle pulled them to within three games of the Nuggets and Utah Jazz, who are tied for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Golden State 99, Washington 78 -- Erick Dampier had 19 points and 21 rebounds at Oakland to help the Warriors win their sixth in a row.

Golden State is on its longest winning streak of the season, though it follows a nine-game losing streak that probably will keep the Warriors out of the playoffs for the 10th straight season.