
It doesn't take much to beat the Toronto Raptors these days, but all the Memphis Grizzlies needed Saturday were 78 points.
O.J. Mayo scored 12 of his 16 points in the fourth period, including nine straight, and the Grizzlies held on to defeat the Raptors 78-70, in Memphis. Grizzlies 78, Raptors 70
Mayo's three-pointer with 25.7 seconds left was costly for the Raptors, who had erased a 13-point lead in the second half and lost their sixth straight. Mayo had struggled from the field through the first three quarters, missing nine of his 11 shots. He saved the best for the stretch.
"Big-time players, no matter what kind of game they have, seem to rise to the occasion," Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said. "He rose to the occasion in the last few minutes of that game."
Mayo's nine-point run came shortly after the Raptors took their first lead of the second half. It started with a free throw after the Raptors were whistled for a defensive three-second violation. Mayo hit that free throw, converted a pair of short shots, and added a free throw after the second. His three-pointer closed the rally.
The primary problem for Toronto was shooting a season-low 29.5 per cent from the field, and missing its first 13 shots outside the arc. The 70 points also was a season-low for the Raptors.
"We were wide open for shots," said Raptors guard Jose Calderon, who led Toronto with 18 points and five assists, but was 5-of-15 from the field. "Sometimes it goes in, sometimes not. It's got to be our worst game for sure."
Hakim Warrick matched Mayo's 16 points and both grabbed eight rebounds. Mike Conley scored 15 points and handed out eight assists.
Joey Graham finished with 14 points, and Jason Kapono had 12, including 4-of-6 outside the arc in the fourth to help the Raptors rally.
Both teams were short-handed, Memphis was missing second-leading scorer Rudy Gay with a hip flexor, while the Raptors' leading scorer and rebounder Chris Bosh missed his second game with a sprained right knee.
"He leads the team in scoring and rebounding, and we really need him back," reserve Jamario Moon said of the injured Bosh. "I can't wait for him to get back."
Mavericks 115, Bulls 114
At Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki scored 44 points, 14 in overtime, and the Mavericks overcame a hand injury to second-leading scorer Jason Terry for a victory over Chicago.
Pistons 126, Bucks 121 (OT)
At Milwaukee, Allen Iverson and Richard Hamilton combined for 15 of Detroit's 17 points in overtime as the Pistons rallied for the win.
Rockets 107, Timberwolves 90
At Houston, Yao Ming scored 30 points, as Houston rallied from a 15-point deficit in the first half.
Nets 114 Nuggets 70
At East Rutherford Devin Harris scored 14 of his 28 points from the free-throw line and New Jersey won its season-high fourth straight game.
76ers 94, Heat 84
At Philadelphia, Andre Miller and Marreese Speights scored 15 points and the 76ers beat Miami.
Clippers 121, Hawks 97
At Atlanta, Al Thornton scored 31 points in Los Angeles's victory.