Memphis Grizzlies Team Report - December 24

(Basketball News) - The Memphis Grizzlies were defeated by the red-hot Phoenix Suns, 109-102, on Thursday at America West Arena.

Mike Miller scored 19 of his team-high 22 points in the first half for the Grizzlies, who ended a grueling four-game-in-five-day road trip 2-2. Jason Williams added 21 points and nine assists for Memphis, which has dropped two in a row.

Leading 78-77 heading into the fourth, the Suns opened the stanza with nine straight points to take a 10-point lead. The cushion would remain comfortable for Phoenix until a 9-2 run ended the with the Grizzlies drawing within 97-92 with 3:44 remaining.

Later, a Miller three-pointer with 45 seconds left got the Grizzlies to 105-102, but that’s as close as they would get. After Shawn Marion missed a three on the ensuing possession for Phoenix, Miller took a fade-away three with 15 seconds on the clock that drew nothing but air.

Miller has scored in double-digits in six of seven and nine of his last 11 games. He is second on the team in scoring (12.2 ppg).

The Grizzlies are off until Monday when they host Elton Brand and the Los Angeles Clippers. It will be the second meeting between the squads this season. On December 19th, the Grizzlies defeated the Clippers, 92-82, at the Staples Center.