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Injury-plagued Grizzlies run out of gas against Raptors

Xinhua, December 1, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Memphis Grizzlies came up short in their 120-105 loss to The Toronto Raptors in Wednesday evening's NBA game.

With the loss, Memphis falls to 11-8 on the season, tying them with Utah for sixth place in the Western Conference.

During the game, Memphis had ten players available, as starters Mike Conley (fractured back), James Ennis (strained calf), and Chandler Parson (bruised knee) were injured. Additionally, key reserves Vince Carter (sore hip), Brandon Wright (ankle surgery), and Zach Randolph (personal leave) were also unavailable.

Despite being shorthanded, the Grizzlies had the lead at the end of the first and second quarters. In the fourth quarter, Memphis trailed 91-90 before Toronto put the game out of reach with a 16-5 run.

Head coach David Fizdale was impressed with his team's effort against the 12-6 Raptors squad.

"Overall, I loved the effort and the focus," said Fizdale following the game. "I was happy to see us still neck to neck with those guys deep into the fourth (quarter)."

Fizdale said he was most impressed with rookie guard Andrew Harrison, who scored a career-high 21 points in over 35 minutes of action.

"I thought he did well, he had a really good night," said Fizdale. "There was a stretch where he looked young and tried to make plays that weren't there instead of making the easy play...that's part of the growing pains."

The 22-year-old product of the University of Kentucky assumed the starting point-guard spot after starter Mike Conley was diagnosed with a fractured vertebrae that will sideline him for at least six weeks.

The worst appears to be over for Memphis, as Ennis, Carter and Randolph are all expected to return to action within a week. Endit