Grizzlies postgame May 2, 2005 Turning pointm The Griz never backed down after falling behind by 21 points in the first half. They tied the score at 64 on Pau Gasol's bank shot with 10:32 left in the third. But just as they had all series, the Suns responded with quick strikes. Steve Nash converted a three-point play followed by a Shawn Marion dunk. The Griz again fell behind by double digits in the quarter, mainly because they couldn't get stops. Phoenix made 10 of 12 shots in the third. m Standing out Pick a Suns player. Any Suns player. Although Shane Battier did an admirable job trying to contain Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix enjoyed 25 points from Joe Johnson, Nash's 24 points and Marion's 23. The Griz, meanwhile, got another solid scoring night from Jason Williams, who tossed in 20 points and handed out eight assists. Gasol also scored 20 of his game-high 28 points in the second half. His point total tied a career playoff high. Standing still Because Griz coach Mike Fratello decided to mostly use smaller, more athletic lineups, center Lorenzen Wright played just 10 minutes. By the numbers The Suns converted twice as many free throws as the Grizzlies attempted. Phoenix sank 36 of 49 free throws compared with the Grizzlies' 12-of-16 shooting from the foul line. ... Phoenix shot 60 percent for the game, making up for a 38-percent second quarter by making 83 percent of their shots in the third. ... The Suns outscored the Grizzlies, 16-0, in fast-break points in the first quarter, which ended with Phoenix leading, 39-20. Odds and ends A day after insisting that there was no rift with Bonzi Wells, Fratello revealed that the veteran guard would not be with the team for Game 4. The decision for Wells not to dress in uniform or attend the game was made during the team's morning shoot-around. Fratello would not elaborate on what precipitated essentially the end of Wells's season. "Bonzi and I decided that it was in the best interest of the team," Fratello said. "We thought it was best for both parties." Griz president Jerry West didn't explain the situation any further, saying only that he would "support our coach." Teammates were mum in the locker room before the game. On the court, at least two players expressed support for Wells. Williams and forward Stromile Swift wore armbands with Wells's No. 6. Attempts to reach Wells by phone were unsuccessful. Wells almost certainly will not return to the Grizzlies next season. The team has an $8 million option for the 2005-06 campaign that West likely won't exercise. It's been clear for months that Wells and Fratello weren't on the same page. Wells often complained about a lack of playing time. Fratello didn't appreciate Wells's perceived lack of professionalism. Asked before Game 2 about his situation, Wells said: "I don't really get to play to be able to make amends. I'm on the bench. I can only hope they call my number so I can do what I do. It's whatever happens, happens. If he does call my number, I'll be ready to rectify this and give my best effort." Fratello benched Wells for Game 2 after Wells didn't practice to the coaching staff's satisfaction. Wells saw time in Game 3 only after the Griz fell behind by double digits and got poor production from the bench. Wells played nine minutes, contributing six points and two rebounds in what likely was his final game as a Grizzly. Injuries were a major story for the Grizzlies during the regular season. So it may have been apropos that Brian Cardinal left Game 4 with a sprained left knee with 5:30 remaining in the second period. Cardinal, a key reserve, didn't return. That sums up what the Griz have endured all year – always compensating for a short-handed roster. Stromile Swift was back on the court again for Game 4 and said he hasn't been bothered by a sore ankle and turf toe since Tuesday. In Game 3 Swift played 10 minutes -- eight of which came in the second half with the game out of reach. He entered Game 4 seemingly not concerned about his role despite being benched after logging just two minutes at the start of Game 3. " Every time I go out I feel like I can give 100 percent," Swift said. "I feel like I can bring something to the game to help my team win. So when I'm out there, I just try to make things happen." Most of the Grizzlies were familiar with the urgency of Game 4. They trailed the San Antonio Spurs 3-0 before being swept out of the playoffs a year ago. But being down 3-0 was new to Fratello, who never found himself in that situation while coach of Atlanta or Cleveland. " I haven't been in this position before because in my previous situations the first round was never seven games," Fratello said. "I've been in two-out-of-threes and three-out-of-fives. But no four-out-of-sevens in the first round." He said it "At least we got to the playoffs and gave ourselves a chance. Some teams ended their season before we did." – Wright, on losing their first-round series to the Suns, 4-0. --

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