The Grizzlies overcame eight first-quarter turnovers by shooting 78 percent to open the game. Still, the Grizzlies were able to extend their lead through the second quarter when they cut back on their turnovers. Memphis had more trouble handling the ball in the first half than shooting it. The Bulls rallied late in the third period and cut the lead to nine early in the fourth. “We should have known that anytime you beat a team like that in the NBA, next time, they can’t wait to see you. We should have been ready for that,” Deng said of the potential retaliation factor. “I don’t think we did a good job mentally preparing for them. Taj Gibson had 16 points and Carlos Boozer added 13 points, all in the first half, and seven rebounds.
Luol Deng led the Bulls with 20 points and C.J. “I thought we came out with great energy and great focus,” Memphis coach Lionel Holllins said. Gay was 11 of 18 from the field while Gasol and Conley both hit nine of their 13 shots. Marc Gasol had 19 points and 10 rebounds while Marreese Speights finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds for Memphis, which extended its winning streak to three games. “Without having D-Rose out there, we had to take advantage of it,” Conley said. Quite a different outcome than the Grizzlies’ 104-64 drubbing in Chicago two weeks ago. The Bulls played without leading scorer Derrick Rose, who missed his second game in the last four with a sprained left toe. Rudy Gay scored 24 points and Conley added 20 points and eight assists as Memphis ended Chicago’s five-game winning streak. “I thought guys really took that to heart, especially in the first 6-7 minutes of the game,” Conley said. Let’s go out there and just play hard and leave it all out there on the court,”’ he said.īeaten by 40 points by the Bulls on New Year’s Day, the Grizzlies bounced back to defeat Chicago 102-86 Monday. “That was the last thing I said to them: `That was an embarrassing loss. “I said, `Let’s not forget what happened,” Conley recounted from the pregame huddle. Mike Conley delivered a direct message to his Memphis Grizzlies before they played the Chicago Bulls.