Marc Gasol scored the game’s final eight points in leading the Memphis Grizzlies to their third straight victory with a 99-93 road win over Detroit on Wednesday night.
Gasol led Memphis (25-19) with 25 points and added 12 rebounds while Zach Randolph scored 24 and grabbed 13 rebounds.
The score was tied at 93 when Charlie Villanueva fouled Gasol with 59 seconds left. He made both free throws, and Richard Hamilton missed a 3-pointer at the other end.
Gasol’s hook shot gave Memphis a four-point edge, and the Pistons couldn’t mount a last-second rally.
“This is pretty much how it has been all year,” said O.J. Mayo, who finished with 16 points. “We’re pretty stable with our starting five, because that’s who we are going with down the stretch. Tonight was a prime example of executing at the end of the game.”
Rodney Stuckey led Detroit (15-29) with 17 points and 11 assists. Hamilton tossed in 16 points and dished out 10 assists while Ben Wallace added 14 points and nine rebounds.
Rudy Gay added 16 points and eight rebounds for Memphis while Mike Conley scored 14 points and had six assists.
Memphis will begin a tough seven-game stretch to close out the first half on Friday night when they visit San Antonio. The Grizzlies return home for a Saturday night game against New Orleans, then must face the Los Angeles Lakers at the FedExForum on Monday night.
