Monday night in the NBA featured very few games with any postseason importance.  Memphis and Phoenix made up for that by providing fans with a game that really meant something. In the end, the Grizzlies prevailed 97-91 to clinch the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. With the loss, the Suns were officially eliminated from postseason play, despite a 47-34 overall record.
 
The Suns found themselves down early in the game but, behind a supportive crowd, fought back to within four points at the half, 46-42. A tight third quarter, in which both teams held small leads, saw the score knotted at 70 after three periods. Memphis scored the final six points of the game to break away from the Suns, whose frantic attempts to keep the game within reach in the final seconds fell short.
 
Zach Randolph was outstanding for Memphis, as he finished with 32 points and nine rebounds, both team highs. The veteran savvy in Mike Miller shined through as he hit five three point shots on his way to 21 points off the bench. Marc Gasol added 18 to highlight the scoring for Memphis. The Grizzlies weathered the Suns home crowd to shoot 52% from the field and grab 12 more rebounds than the home team.
 
Markieff Morris caught fire for the Suns in the second half and finished with 21, but the Suns ran out of steam late in the fourth quarter to concede the win to the Grizzlies. The Suns were ice cold from the perimeter, going only 5 for 26 from beyond the arc. Phoenix will now take its 47 wins to Sacramento for both teams final game of the season.
 
Memphis, meanwhile, is set to face off against the San Antonio Spurs in a rematch of last season's Western Conference Finals, won by the Spurs 4-0. It was this playoff loss that set in motion a chain of events, including Lionel Hollins not being retained after his contract expired, which seemed to hamstring the Grizzlies out of the gate this season.
 
Making it to the NBA Playoffs after such a slow start is a form of sweet redemption for the Grizzlies organization, and first year head coach David Joerger. After the first two months of the season, there was very little hope that Memphis would amount to much. Front office personnel had to be wondering if not renewing Hollins contract was a good move at all.
 
However, solid contributions from veterans Randolph and Miller led Memphis to its fourth playoff appearance in as many years.