Gay scores 21, Grizzlies blow out Hawks 96-77

By Paul Newberry

Associated Press

Published: Thursday, Feb. 2 2012 7:55 p.m. MST

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Atlanta Hawks power forward Josh Smith (5) drives to the basket as Memphis Grizzlies' Tony Allen (9) and Quincy Pondexter, right, defend in the second quarter of an NBA basketball game on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, in Atlanta.

John Bazemore, Associated Press

Summary

Rudy Gay scored 21 points to lead five Memphis players in double figures and the Grizzlies blew out the listless Atlanta Hawks 96-77 Thursday night.

ATLANTA — Rudy Gay scored 21 points to lead five Memphis players in double figures and the Grizzlies blew out the listless Atlanta Hawks 96-77 Thursday night.

Memphis pulled away late in the first half, closing on an 18-7 run that gave the Grizzlies a 10-point lead at the break. They totally blew it open in the third quarter after Atlanta missed its first seven shots and turned it over three times.

The Hawks were coming off a 4-1 road trip that left them tied with Miami for the Southeast Division lead. But they looked exhausted in their return to Philips Arena, putting up ugly jumpers, playing pedestrian defense and struggling just to hang on to the ball.

Josh Smith led the Hawks with 11 points.

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