MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Quincy Pondexter had nothing to show in his first opportunity to start for the injured Tony Allen.

His second chance resulted in the best scoring night of his career.

Pondexter recorded a career-best 17 points and provided an early burst as the Memphis Grizzlies snapped a three-game losing streak with an 85-80 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.

"It's seizing the opportunity," said Pondexter, in his second season out of Washington. "I've been blessed enough to be given this position with Tony being out."

Pondexter went scoreless when Lionel Hollins gave him his first start against San Antonio on Monday night — a performance Pondexter described as "a nothing game for me." He was happy to rebound two nights later.

"Coach believed in me enough to do it," Pondexter said. "He could have given it to a lot of other players. For some reason, he believed in me, and I can't let him down."

Rudy Gay had 19 points and nine rebounds to lead Memphis. Marc Gasol and Dante Cunningham scored 12 apiece, and O.J. Mayo finished with 10 for Memphis despite connecting on only 3 of 11 shots as the Grizzlies shot just 37 percent overall.

J.J. Barea led the Timberwolves with 17 points and six assists. Minnesota played its second game without leading scorer Kevin Love, who completed his two-game suspension.

Rockets beat Blazers

PORTLAND — Chase Budinger had 22 points off the bench as the Houston Rockets beat the Portland Trail Blazers 103-96.

Houston lost starting guard Kyle Lowry to a right arm injury late in the third quarter and he did not return.

The Rockets' bench accounted for 66 points. Houston led by as many as 19 for its second straight win on the road.

Jamal Crawford from Rainier Beach High School came off the bench to score 21 points for the Blazers, who rallied to tie the score at 77 on LaMarcus Aldridge's dunk in the fourth quarter. But Portland could not pull ahead.

It was Portland's second straight loss at the Rose Garden and only the team's third loss at home this season.

Notes and highlights

• Tony Parker scored 37 points, Gary Neal added 18 off the bench and the San Antonio Spurs beat the host Philadelphia 76ers 100-90 in a matchup of division leaders.

• Ramon Sessions had a season-high 24 points as a last-minute replacement for injured rookie Kyrie Irving, and Antawn Jamison scored 27 to lead the host Cleveland Cavaliers over the Los Angeles Clippers 99-92. Irving suffered a concussion and there is no immediate timetable for his return.

• Dwight Howard had 25 points and 24 rebounds, Ryan Anderson scored 27 and the host Orlando Magic made 17 three-pointers to beat the Miami Heat 102-89.

• Carlos Boozer scored 18 points and Chicago won its fourth straight game, 90-67 over host New Orleans, nearly holding the Hornets to a franchise low in points. Bulls guard Derrick Rose started only two days after leaving Chicago's previous game with back spasms.