The Memphis Grizzlies are getting closer and closer to nabbing higher in the seeding for the NBA playoffs this year as they topped the New Orleans Hornets, 111-89, to reach a tiebreaker for the seventh seed with them.O.J. Mayo led the way with 18 points along with Marc Gasol's contribution of 16 points and seven rebounds as Memphis continues to make themselves stronger in the Western Conference, even without superstar Rudy Gay.
"We're still hungry. We're thirsty dogs," said reserve forward Darrell Arthur, who had eight points. "We're trying to go out there and win every game. We're not trying to just stop because we made the playoffs. It doesn't stop there. It stops when we lose in the playoffs."
The Grizzlies amazing defense on Chris Paul forced the All-Star point guard to go scoreless for the first time in his career, which diminishes his highlight statistic of ten assists.
Mike Conley played well guarding Paul, and didn't even know himself that he held Paul scoreless the whole night and that it was the first time for him in his career.
"Not a lot of people can do it," Conley said of shutting down Paul. "When I was in there, my job was to make it tough on him and not let him get in the paint, create too many plays or get too many shots up."
Sam Young and Zach Randolph also helped out with 14 points. If the playoffs were to start today, New Orleans would still have the seventh seed due to the fact they have a stronger record in the Southwest Division.
But Memphis can still probably get it.
Marco Belinelli led New Orleans with 18 points, including 16 of them in the first quarter. But after that, he was shut down. Carl Landry, Trevor Ariza, and Willie Green all also helped out to the effort with eleven points.
Great win by Memphis. They will face the Portland Trail Blazers next, who have the sixth seed. After that, they close out on Blake Griffin and the Clippers in Los Angeles.
Keep fighting Memphis! Get that seventh seed!
