NBA: Memphis 96, New Orleans 89

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NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 7 (UPI) -- A season-best 28 points from Rudy Gay gave Memphis a big lead Friday and the Grizzlies held on to defeat New Orleans 96-89.

Memphis has won two in a row, nine out of 11 and its three losses this season are the fewest in the NBA.

Gay hit 10-of-18 from the field and Quincy Pondexter went 6-of-6 while scoring 16 points. They led Memphis to a 50-percent shooting performance and a 14-point lead early in the second half.

New Orleans closed within one with 3:50 to play in the game, but a layup by Zach Randolph started Memphis on a 10-4 run to end the contest. Randolph finished with 15 points.

New Orleans was led by Austin Rivers' 15 points, the highest scoring game of his career. The Hornets finished a five-game homestand, during which they went 1-4.