Controversial hoop gives Grizzlies win, top mark
Memphis (AFP) - Courtney Lee's controversial basket at the final buzzer gave the Memphis Grizzlies a 111-110 victory over Sacramento and the NBA's best record with an eighth win in nine games.
Lee soared into the air to catch an inbounds pass from Vince Carter and fired a off-balance reverse shot through the hoop as time expired.
Television replays appeared to show Sacramento's Ryan Hollins getting a hand on the pass, which would have started the clock sooner than it did and wiped out the final .3 of a second before Lee could launch his dramatic desperation winner.
Referees reviewed the replay for several minutes before deciding that the basket counted and the Grizzlies had won their 18th regular-season home game in a row, dating to last season.
Mike Conley scored 22 points and had 11 assists for Memphis, which had 16 points in all from Lee. The Grizzlies overcame a 24-point third-quarter deficit and trailed 103-86 before battling back over the final 7:30 to win.
Spaniard Marc Gasol added 20 points while Carter sank three 3-pointers in the 23-5 Memphis rally that put them back in the game late.
Rudy Gay scored 25 points and DeMarcus Cousins netted 22 along with 12 rebounds to lead the Kings in a losing cause. Darren Collison added 20 points but Sacramento suffered an eighth consecutive loss in meetings with Memphis.
