MEMPHIS, April 18 (UPI) -- Rudy Gay sent Memphis to an enormous second-half lead Wednesday and the Grizzlies clinched a spot in the playoffs by downing New Orleans 103-91.
Memphis took a 21-point advantage into the final period and then wrapped up its second post-season berth in as many years. The Grizzlies were the fifth team from the Western Conference to reach the playoffs, joining San Antonio, Oklahoma City and both the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers.
The Grizzlies reached the second round of the playoffs last year before being eliminated by Oklahoma City.
Gay scored 26 points while Mike Conley added 20 for the Grizzlies. O.J. Mayo had 15 and Memphis hit 50 percent of its field goal attempts.
New Orleans, which had won four in a row, was led by Jerome Dyson with 24 points.
Memphis took control with a 26-6 run to begin the second half. Conley had 10 points during that outburst.
