Gasol Leads Grizzlies Past Cavaliers 96-92

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Marc Gasol scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds, Kosta Koufos tallied eight of his 13 points in the fourth quarter, and the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 96-92 Wednesday night.

Quincy Pondexter added 15 points for Memphis and Zach Randolph had 11 points. Mike Conley, Nick Calathes and Jon Leuer each finished with 10 points for the Grizzlies.

The Cavaliers, who played without LeBron James, were led by 16 points from Kyrie Irving, while starting backcourt mate Dion Waiters added 15 points. Kevin Love finished with 12, while Joe Harris added 10 off the Cleveland bench.

The loss was only the second of the preseason for Cleveland, which finished its exhibition season with a 5-2 record.

Irving connected on 7 of his 11 shots while playing just under 24 minutes. None of the Cleveland starters played in the fourth quarter. Waiters was 6 of 10 from the field.

Koufos led a fourth-quarter rally for Memphis, hitting 3 of his 4 shots and helping the Grizzlies build their largest lead of the night, which they never relinquished.

In typical preseason form, there were some sloppy moments for both teams. Early on, turnovers outnumbered field goals and both teams finally crept above 40 percent shooting near end of the first half. The Cavs took a 44-42 lead into the break as Irving and Waiters had 12 points apiece.

The Cavaliers committed six turnovers in the third quarter and Memphis built its lead to nine points in the fourth, its largest of the night, but Cleveland fought back.

Trailing 93-91 with 39 seconds left, Cleveland guard A.J. Price could manage only one of two free throws. Nick Calathes scored on a layup for Memphis with 24 seconds left, providing Memphis with enough to capture its third victory of the preseason.

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TIP-INS:

The Grizzlies: Guard Courtney Lee sat out with a tender left ankle. Lee, projected to be a starter when the season opens, was replaced in the lineup by Pondexter. . Earlier Wednesday, the Grizzlies announced they had waived camp invitees Earl Clark and Hassan Whiteside.

The Cavaliers: James Posey, who played two seasons with the Grizzlies, is now a member of the Cavaliers coaching staff. . Cleveland 3-point shooter Mike Miller returned to the FedExForum for the first time since the Grizzlies didn’t sign him during the offseason, opting instead for free agent Vince Carter.

UP NEXT:

The Grizzlies close out the preseason Friday at home against the Miami Heat.

The Cavaliers face the New York Knicks to open the regular season on Oct. 30 at Quicken Loans Arena.

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