Memphis Grizzlies guard O.J. Mayo is slowly making believers of folks around the NBA; in Friday’s game against the Golden State Warriors, Mayo proved to be clutch when it mattered most as he sparked a big 3rd period with 11 points, leading Memphis to a 109-104 victory over Golden State at Oracle Arena.

Neither team shot lights-out in the first half at all yet Golden State managed to hold on to a 42-37 lead with eight minutes left in the second quarter; they would make only 4 more shots in the half and go into halftime with a slim 50-48 lead.  The aforementioned Mayo would have a strong third quarter with 11 points, sparking the Grizzlies on 17-6 and 10-0 runs to help Memphis gain control of the game; Mayo’s jumper with 4.4 seconds left in the third period gave the Grizzlies an 81-74 lead.

The Grizzlies would lead 93-81 early in the final period but would hold off the Warriors, who would close to within 97-96 on a free throw by Andris Biedrins with 3:36 remaining; however, Marc Gasol would answer back with 2 free throws and Henry Warrick would follow with a dunk and Memphis would coast the rest of the way.  The Grizzlies were led by Rudy Gay with 23 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and a blocked shot while Mayo added 20 with 9 rebounds and 4 assists; Warrick chipped in with 19 along with 10 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal while rookie Darrell Arthur recorded a double-double, scoring 13 with 12 rebounds, an assist and 3 blocked shots.

Golden State had three scorers with at least 21 points, led by Stephen Jackson with 27 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal and a blocked shot while Biedrins added 23 with 12 rebounds, an assist, a steal and 2 blocked shot; Kelenna Azubuike pitched in, scoring 21 with 6 rebounds, an assist, a steal and a blocked shot.  Memphis (3-3) plays again on Sunday when they travel to Denver to take on the Nuggets while Golden State (2-4) make the short trip east on I-80 when they face the Sacramento Kings – also on Sunday.