Defensive lapses, turnovers prove costly in Hawks' loss to Grizzlies

The Atlanta Hawks came into Sunday's game coming off of two of their better defensive efforts of the season. They weren't able to continue that against the Grizzlies who are in a good offensive rhythm.

Memphis piled up 108 points on Atlanta who had not given up more than 91 in their last four games. The Grizzlies hit 52 percent of their field goal attempts and were 6-15 from three-point range. Perhaps the biggest factor was Atlanta's 15 turnovers that Memphis converted into 25 points. Conversely, Atlanta was only able to manage 16 points off of Memphis' 12 turnovers.

The Hawks were pretty good offensively themselves. They made 48 percent of their field goal attempts and were 9-27 from three-point range. Paul Millsap overcame a slow start due to foul trouble to finish with 21 points on 7-14 shooting. Jeff Teague finished with 20 points while going 9-18 from the field but did turn the ball over five times. Atlanta held their own on the boards as well with Memphis grabbing only a slight advantage at 40-38.

The biggest factor in this game was Atlanta's inability to get a key stop when it needed it and the play of Mike Conley who along with Zach Randolph, continue to carry the Grizzlies with Marc Gasol out.

With Conley on the bench, Atlanta orchestrated a 16-0 run which saw them erase a 77-64 deficit and turn it into an 80-77 lead. Conley returned and the Grizzlies awakened with a 25-12 run to grab back control of the game. During that run Conley either scored or assisted on 23 of Memphis' 25 points.

Notebook

• Atlanta got another huge lift from its bench early once again led by Mike Scott who finished with 15 points on 6-13 shooting.
• Elton Brand turned in a productive night with eight points, four rebounds, and two blocks in 18 minutes.
• Shelvin Mack was also effective with nine points, five rebounds and a pair of assists.
• Everything wasn't great for the bench as Lou Williams continues to struggle. Williams finished with four points and four assists while going 0-6 from the field.
• Gustavo Ayon started for the injured Pero Antic and went scoreless with seven rebounds in 14 minutes.
• Kyle Korver finished with nine points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals while extending his three-point streak to 107 games.
• DeMarre Carroll hit back-to-back threes to put Atlanta ahead during that 16-0 run in the second half and finished with 15 points and three rebounds.
• Newly acquired James Nunnally was in uniform on Atlanta's bench but received a DNP-CD along with rookie Dennis Schröder.