Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era

Grizzlies rally past Sixers

Gay's 26 power comeback from 17-point deficit

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Rudy Gay to Toronto. Rudy Gay to Boston. It's easier to count the teams who don't covet Gay.

But as long as he's still with Memphis, Gay is doing what he can to help the Grizzlies win.

Gay scored 26 points and scored the winning basket off his own rebound with 13.3 seconds left to lead Memphis to a 103-100 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night.

Gay's name is one of the hottest around in NBA trade rumors. The Grizzlies, who rallied from 17 points down to beat the Sixers, are fourth in the Western Conference and listening to offers for their leading scorer.

"Whether I'm here or not, it shouldn't affect this team," Gay said. "I'm going to be a professional about it and make sure that it doesn't."

He added: "Wherever I go, I'm going to be me."

Marc Gasol scored a season-high 27 points and Jerryd Bayless had a season-high 21 to help the Grizzlies win without point guard Mike Conley. Conley sat out with a sprained left ankle suffered in Sunday's loss to New Orleans.

The Grizzlies rallied from their double-digit deficit to take control late in the fourth. Bayless missed a jumper, Gay grabbed the rebound and put Memphis up 101-100 on a bucket with 13.3 seconds left.

Philadelphia's Thaddeus Young missed a short attempt in front of the basket and the Grizzlies grabbed the rebound. Gay hit both attempts from the free-throw line for the three-point cushion.

Nick Young couldn't get the tying shot off at the buzzer for the Sixers.

Tied at 79-all to start the fourth, neither team could break free the rest of the quarter.

Gasol hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer for a 93-90 lead but Evan Turner came right back with a short jumper and Thaddeus Young gave the Sixers a one-point lead after Memphis was whistled for an offensive foul.

Spencer Hawes hit a jumper and Jrue Holiday followed with basket after a fortuitous bounce popped the ball straight up off the rim and through the net for a 98-95 lead. It wasn't enough. The Sixers still haven't won consecutive games since they had a three-game winning streak from Nov. 25-30.

Turner scored a season-high 27 points, Thaddeus Young had 23, and Holiday had 18 points and 10 assists.

"We're playing great," Turner said. "You think bad luck just keeps rolling? Basketball's a game of runs."

Turner said the Sixers will be better once, "the big fella comes back."

He's about ready. Andrew Bynum, their 7-foot center, has targeted a post-All-Star break return from bone bruises in his knees that have sidelined him the entire season.

Notes: 76ers G Jason Richardson (knee) missed his fourth straight game. ... Collins said he felt fine after leaving Saturday's game and missing practice the next day because of a sinus infection and blocked nasal passage. ... 76ers C Lavoy Allen needed stitches in his upper lip.

Grizzlies 103, 76ers 100

MEMPHIS (103)

Gay 10-17 3-4 26, Randolph 2-7 0-0 4, Gasol 10-15 6-6 27, Bayless 8-15 4-4 21, T.Allen 2-6 0-0 5, Arthur 3-7 0-2 6, Wroten 2-2 2-3 6, Johnson 3-4 0-0 8. Totals 40-73 15-19 103.

PHILADELPHIA (100)

Turner 12-18 3-4 27, T.Young 11-19 1-2 23, Hawes 4-7 0-0 8, Holiday 9-19 0-0 18, N.Young 5-13 1-1 13, L.Allen 1-2 0-0 2, Ivey 2-2 0-0 6, Wilkins 0-2 0-0 0, Mack 0-0 0-0 0, Brown 1-1 1-2 3. Totals 45-83 6-9 100.

Memphis20372224--103

Philadelphia33212521--100

3-Point Goals--Memphis 8-13 (Gay 3-6, Johnson 2-2, Gasol 1-1, Bayless 1-2, T.Allen 1-2), Philadelphia 4-9 (Ivey 2-2, N.Young 2-4, Hawes 0-1, Holiday 0-1, T.Young 0-1). Fouled Out--None. Rebounds--Memphis 44 (Randolph 12), Philadelphia 34 (T.Young 7). Assists--Memphis 26 (Bayless 9), Philadelphia 25 (Holiday 10). Total Fouls--Memphis 15, Philadelphia 14. A--15,448 (20,328).