Grizzlies 103, Hawks 90

<p>The Memphis Grizzlies are exceeding even their own expectations.</p><p>Earl Watson had a season-high 20 points and nine assists, and the Grizzlies tied a franchise high with their sixth straight win, 103-90 over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night.</p><p>I expected big improvements with this team, but not this big, Memphis forward Pau Gasol said.</p><p>Mike Miller scored a season-high 22 points, including 11 during a key third-quarter rally when the Grizzlies took the lead for good. They eventually went ahead by 15 in the fourth quarter.</p><p>Memphis also won six straight late last season.</p><p>Watson has started in place of Jason Williams, who is out with back spasms, for the past five games. He has 23 assists in the last two.</p><p>This is J-Wills team, Watson said. Ive just got his back until he comes back, and when he comes back, Ill just follow his lead.</p><p>Watson was signed as a free agent by Memphis in 2002 after playing for Seattle. He has played behind Williams since he arrived, but coaches have praised his toughness all along. He has also displayed the ability to control the offense during his starting tenure.</p><p>Hes playing with more confidence, Memphis coach Hubie Brown said, noting that Watson also had six rebounds. Thats his toughness. Hes a tough dude.</p><p>Jason Terry led the Hawks with 19 points, while Stephen Jackson came off the bench to score 14 points. Shareef Abdur-Rahim had 12 points and 15 rebounds.</p><p>The Hawks led 47-41 at the half behind Dion Glovers 10 points on 4-of-4 shooting.</p><p>We had the lead at the half and could not keep up the same performance in the second (half), Atlanta coach Terry Stotts said. The Grizzlies had a good run during the start of the third quarter, we just didnt have a lot of shots go our way.</p><p>Atlanta, which led by as many as 11 in the opening half, benefited from some lackluster play by the Grizzlies. Memphis managed 35 percent shooting from the floor, but it seemed much worse as the offense appeared out of sync and the defense soft.</p><p>The Grizzlies finally got untracked in the third period, taking their first lead with just under six minutes to play. Memphis closed the period with eight straight points to take a 70-63 lead into the fourth.</p><p>Notes:@ Jackson returned to the lineup after a one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team. ... The Grizzlies activated rookie G Troy Bell before the game, placing swingman Dahntay Jones on the injured list. ... Grizzlies F James Posey left the game in the first half with an eye abrasion, but returned before halftime. ... Hawks F Travis Hansen, a rookie from Brigham Young, started his second consecutive game. ... Abdur-Rahim recorded 13th double-double of the season. Gasol now has 11.</p>

http://accesswdun.com/article/2003/12/181697