Rudy Gay scored 21 points, and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Los Angeles Lakers 106-98 on Friday night to take back the NBA's best record for themselves once again.
The Grizzlies improved to 9-2 by taking the lead over the Lakers in the first quarter and never letting go. Zach Randolph had 17 points and 12 rebounds, and Marc Gasol added 14 points and eight assists.
Mike Conley scored 19 and Tony Allen finished with 12.
The Lakers, playing their third road game in four nights, now have lost all four road games this season and their second straight with new coach Mike D'Antoni on the bench. Kobe Bryant scored 14 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter. Metta World Peace and Antawn Jamison each had 16.
Randolph and Marc Gasol outscored Howard and Pau Gasol while helping Memphis out-rebound the Lakers 39-28, including 13 offensive boards. That led to a 40-24 scoring edge in the paint as well. Pau, who missed five of his first six shots, did not play in the final period.
Musician and actor Justin Timberlake, one of the Grizzlies' new co-owners, joined the team at their shootaround, then spent the first half of the game at mid-court with his wife, actress Jessica Biel.
