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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- The 10th different starting
lineup of the season may be a winning combination for the Vancouver
Grizzlies.
|  | | Vancouver's Mike Bibby drives by Cleveland's Lamond Murray in the second quarter Saturday. |
The Grizzlies benefitted from a recent switch to a
guard-oriented offense and beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 119-107
Saturday night.
Vancouver's victory over Cleveland was the first in franchise
history for the Grizzlies, who are 3-3 since switching to an
offense fueled by the fast break.
Michael Dickerson scored a season-high 32 points and Mike Bibby
had 20 points and 16 assists for Vancouver, which ended an
eight-game losing streak against Cleveland.
Cleveland lost its third straight and dropped below .500 for the
first time this season.
The Grizzlies scored more than 100 points for the fourth
straight game. Vancouver also outrebounded an opponent for the
first time since switching its game plan.
"I'm guessing every game," said Vancouver coach Sidney Lowe
when asked about the lineup.
Rookie Stromile Swift made his first NBA start at power forward
in place of Othella Harrington, whose streak of 117 consecutive
starts for the Grizzlies ended.
Swift, who added 10 points and blocked four shots, was a part of
Vancouver's mobile offense, which had 36 assists. The Grizzlies
used three different starting lineups last season.
"Looking at our second unit ... we needed someone we could be
off of in the post, and (Harrington) was that guy," Lowe said.
"Obviously (Harrington) didn't like it. He was concerned, but he
handled it well."
The Grizzlies shot 57 percent, marking the third time in the
last six games Vancouver surpassed the 50-percent mark.
"It's not going to be like this every night," Dickerson said.
"But right now, were taking good shots and everyone really is
feeling it."
Bibby agreed.
"We play better when we're running," added Bibby. "When we
run there's a lot more action throughout the team."
Vancouver led 30-29 after one quarter but pushed its advantage
to 51-40 midway through the second, taking advantage of an
injury-riddled Cleveland lineup.
Cleveland's Chris Gatling, who scored 38 points Friday in Los
Angeles against the Lakers, was the only consistent scoring threat
early, scoring 19 in the first half of his second straight start
for the Cavs.
Both teams were playing the second game of back-to-back sets,
but the Cavaliers' defense offered no resistance for the Grizzlies
early in the second half. The Grizzlies hit 12 of their first 13
shots in the third period, stretching their lead to 83-67.
Cleveland stayed in the contest, however, committing only four
turnovers until the final 3:39 of the contest to close within
106-99, but the Cavs could not get closer.
Gatling finished with 27 for the Cavaliers, who lost for the
11th time in 13 outings.
"You score 107 points in 2001 in the NBA and usually that's
going to win," Cleveland coach Randy Wittman said. "We don't have
the bodies, physically. We've lost our concepts defensively. It
wasn't just tonight. They've been eroding for several games."
Game notes
Cleveland veteran Clarence Weatherspoon, who injured his
right leg against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, played 33
minutes against the Grizzlies. ... The Cavs continue their six-game
road trip Monday at Golden State. ... Vancouver's Bryant Reeves
tied a club record with 13 first-half rebounds.... The Grizzlies
are 7-5 against Eastern Conference teams.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Cleveland Clubhouse
Vancouver Clubhouse
RECAPS
Phoenix 103
Dallas 86
New York 91
Portland 78
Atlanta 108
LA Clippers 88
Indiana 87
Miami 71
Orlando 111
Golden State 94
Philadelphia 100
San Antonio 83
Sacramento 84
Houston 81
Milwaukee 115
New Jersey 81
Utah 111
LA Lakers 103
Vancouver 119
Cleveland 107
FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT
Mike Bibby Official Site
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