Balanced scoring propels Griz past Knicks, 91-85

The Grizzlies have won four straight games and eight of their past nine while the Knicks have lost seven of their last eight contests. His shot selection was above reproach, and he knocked down shots when his team needed it. He got out on the break and threw down electrifying dunks and slashed through the lane and finished tough baskets, and he continued to find ways to score on a night when no Grizzlies starter scored more than 10 points.

Green deposited 16 points to give Memphis (30-20) its fifth win in a row and ninth victory in 10 games.

Randolph opened the third quarter with a bucket to give Memphis a game-high 12-point lead. Kristap Porzingis led the Knicks with 17 points, 10 rebounds and six blocked shots. But they enjoyed balanced scoring and didn’t rely heavily on Gasol as was the case when the Griz beat the Knicks on January 16 in FedExForum.

In the immediate future, however, with Lance Thomas (concussion) also out for NY, the Knicks will be forced to lean heavily on Derrick Williams at small forward, with Thanasis Antetokounmpo, who recently signed a 10-day contract, potentially being thrust into an increased role.

Green was scoring 10.4 per game heading into that stretch after totaling seven points on 2-of-13 shooting over a two-game span. He’s since averaged 19.3 while hitting 15 of 34 from 3-point range in the last nine and 26.0 on 62.9 percent shooting over his past four.

The Memphis Grizzlies look to build on their five-game winning streak.

And that’s why they’re two of the most exciting players in the league to watch.

Mario Chalmers was ejected with 11:04 left in the fourth quarter.

Knicks: Anthony did not dress due to a sore left knee. He received a flagrant 2 foul for elbowing Vujacic in the face during a loose-ball scramble.

This was his seventh game on the sideline this season, and the are 0-7 without him.

The over has been profitable for bettors when the Grizzlies and Knicks play, which will be the case tonight at 7:30PM ET at Madison Square Garden.

And, to paraphrase from the analytical description of various lunch table cliques in a groundbreaking sociological documentary, then there’s the greatest people you will ever meet, the Memphis Grizzlies.