Grizzlies stun Cavs, Gasol posts triple-double
The short-handed Memphis Grizzlies upstaged the Cleveland Cavaliers 106-103 in the NBA on Monday.
Memphis were without Mike Conley, Zach Randolph, Chris Anderson and Matt Barnes, with Tony Allen the only starter for the trip to Cleveland.
And Allen stepped up in the quartet’s absence, posting a season-high 26 points to help the Grizzlies past the Eastern Conference leaders.
Veteran Vince Carter (17 points) sealed the win with four free throws inside the final 13.4 seconds.
Cavs duo LeBron James (28, nine rebounds and five assists) and Kyrie Irving (27) combined for 55 points.
The Chicago Bulls accounted for the Milwaukee Bucks 100-90 thanks to Pau Gasol.
Gasol had 12 points, 17 rebounds and 13 assists in a triple-double performance as the Bulls won back-to-back games, despite missing All-Star Jimmy Butler.
Butler sat out in Chicago due to swelling in his left knee.
Derrick Rose (22), Mike Dunleavy (18), E’Twaun Moore (16), Nikola Mirotic (14) and Taj Gibson (12, 10 rebounds) also had double-digit points.
The San Antonio Spurs’ eight-game winning streak was ended by the Indiana Pacers, who triumphed 99-91.
San Antonio closed to within three points on several occasions in the final two minutes on the road, but the Pacers held firm to record just their second victory in 17 meetings against the Spurs since 2008.
Monta Ellis and Paul George led the way with 26 and 23 points respectively.
Also on Monday, the Charlotte Hornets made it four successive wins after seeing off the Minnesota Timberwolves 108-103.
Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan starred as the Los Angeles Clippers stormed past the Dallas Mavericks 109-90 and the New Orleans Pelicans trumped the Sacramento Kings 115-112.
