When the game finally turned for good Wednesday night, the manner in which the Grizzlies took control just about summed up how they have gotten this far in a season that presented many twists.

Memphis overcame a slow start, cranked up its defensive motor and overwhelmed the New Orleans Hornets just after halftime in a 103-91 victory before a crowd of 14,507 in FedExForum.

“We had to impose our will,” Griz guard O.J. Mayo said. “We’re a good team.”

Proof of their excellence is now evident in the Western Conference standings where that ‘X’ next to Grizzlies signifies that they have now clinched a playoff spot. It’s taken different players to rev up at different times and a lot of resolve as a unit for the Griz to earn their second straight postseason berth.

via Ronald Tillery of The Commercial Appeal