NBA Game Summary - Seattle at Memphis

Memphis, TN (Basketball News) - Jerome James posted a career-high 22 points, as the Seattle SuperSonics edged the Memphis Grizzlies, 102-99, at FedExForum.

Ray Allen also netted 22 points, including a 5-for-7 effort from beyond the arc, while Luke Ridnour added 15 important points for the Sonics, who have won five of their last six overall and remain comfortably in the third spot in the Western Conference playoff race.

Pau Gasol posted 24 points for Memphis, which has dropped three straight. Bonzi Wells delivered 17 points in the losing effort. The Grizzlies now hold the No. 7 spot in the West by just 1/2 a game over the Denver Nuggets.

After the Sonics tied the contest at 83 apiece on a jumper by Ridnour, the Grizzlies surged ahead.

Wells’ layup capped a brief 7-0 run that gave Memphis a 90-83 lead with 7:35 remaining in regulation. He also started the burst with a layup and an Earl Watson three-pointer accounted for the rest.

However, just as quickly as the Grizzlies moved ahead, the Sonics fought back with a run of their own. Seattle’s 10-2 spurt gave it a 93-92 edge with just under three minutes to go.

Allen and Ridnour controlled the run. Allen brought the visitors within four, 92-88, near the five-minute mark before a runner in the lane by Ridnour made it a two-point game. Nearly a minute later, Ridnour barely beat the shot clock and banked home a three-pointer for the 93-92 lead.

Ridnour continued to pace the Sonics, hitting another basket at the 1:35 mark for a 97-94 edge.

Gasol then hit two from the stripe to once again make it a one-point game, but James’ hook shot from the baseline restored Seattle’s three-point lead.

Not to be outdone, Gasol came back and converted a traditional three-point play to tie the game. He drove the lane, took the hard foul, and made the bucket plus the free throw and the teams were knotted at 99-99 with 46 ticks on the clock.

On the other end, James was fouled in lane, but made only one of two for a one-point Seattle lead.

On the next Memphis possession, Shane Battier lost control of the ball and turned it over with 16 seconds left. Ridnour was then fouled and hit both from the stripe to make it 102-99.

Memphis sharpshooter Mike Miller had the chance to tie it up twice, but both times fell short and the Sonics held on for the victory.

The Grizzlies held a 50-44 lead at the break, and held that same six-point advantage after 36 minutes as both teams totaled 28 points in the third stanza.