The Grizzlies took a huge step of getting their home fans to come back to FedExForum when they beat the Cavs in overtime on Tuesday. Ever since Memphis has had two straight losing records in the last couple of years, coupled with a slow start this season, fans had just about given up on this team. There was no reason to watch and the Allen Iverson debacle disenchanted even more fans. Since the Grizzlies waived Iverson, they are 7-4. They have won four of their last six games and three straight.
What happened? All you need is love.
"The camaraderie and chemistry are better," Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said. "Our togetherness on defense, our communication on offense and helping each other to be in the right position all makes us a stronger team."
Veteran forward Zach Randolph, who scored a season-high 32 points against the Cavs, said the trust has gotten better every game, even after blowing an 18-point fourth quarter lead at the Clippers.
"We believe in each other and we trust in each other," Randolph said.
Hollins said while sitting on the bench at the end of the Cavs' game, he said he was thinking, 'Maybe if we win this game, the fans here will start cheering for us.' "
GRIZZLIES 111, CAVALIERS 109 (OT): Right when it looked like the Grizzlies might be fading, trailing by 16 with a couple of minutes left in the first half on Tuesday, Memphis cut the Cavs' lead to 11 at the half and caught fire in the final two quarters. That's when the Grizzlies won the game on sheer elbow grease, outscoring the Cavs 17-4 in fast-break points in the final half and overtime, and forcing a majority of Cleveland's 18 turnovers. Mike Conley's game-winning drive with three seconds left in overtime gave Memphis the win despite LeBron James missing a game-winning shot.
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