New Orleans Pelicans vs Memphis Grizzlies Match Player Stats On Oct 18, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Oct 18, 2017

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Point guard Mike Conley scored 27 points as the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 103-91 on Wednesday night at FedExForum in the season opener for both teams.

The Pelicans got double-doubles from forwards Anthony Davis (33 points, 18 rebounds) and DeMarcus Cousins (28 points, 10 rebounds and a career-high seven blocks), but it wasn't enough.

Cousins also picked up his first technical foul of the season with 50 seconds left and the Pelicans down by 11 points.

Conley got support from center Marc Gasol, who posted 14 points and 11 rebounds plus four assists. Rookie swingman Dillon Brooks scored 19 points with five rebounds and four steals in his NBA debut.

Memphis led by two points at halftime and extended the lead to 79-70 after three quarters. The Grizzlies led by as many as 14 points in the fourth quarter and the Pelicans never drew closer than nine.

The Pelicans shot 38 percent from the floor and went 7 of 25 from 3-point range. Memphis shot 42.4 percent from the field while going 9 of 29 from distance.

Memphis had a 53-8 advantage in bench points, including Brooks' output, 11 points from guard Tyreke Evans and 10 points from forward Brandan Wright.

The Grizzlies led 54-52 at halftime. Cousins led all scorers with 20 points and also had nine rebounds at the break. Conley had 18 points.

Memphis forward JaMychal Green left the game in the first quarter with a left ankle injury and did not return.

NOTES: Pelicans G Tony Allen spent the last seven seasons with the Grizzlies and became a fan favorite for his tenacious defense and colorful personality. When he entered the game with 3:13 left in the first quarter, the crowd gave him a standing ovation and again after a video board tribute. He missed the only shot he took in just 11 minutes. ... Memphis SF Chandler Parsons, who signed a four-year, $94 million contract before last season but played just 34 games because of another knee injury, opened the season as a reserve with James Ennis starting at SF. "It's not set in stone," Fizdale said. Parsons finished the opener with six points in 15 minutes. ... New Orleans big men DeMarcus Cousins (46) and Anthony Davis (49) combined for 95 double-doubles last season; Cousins played 55 games with Sacramento and then 17 New Orleans Pelicans after a midseason trade.