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WASHINGTON -- Tayshaun Prince was having his best scoring game of the season, and the Memphis Grizzlies were cruising in the fourth quarter, when a loose ball somehow ended up in the hands of little-used Washington Wizards rookie Otto Porter. Porter let it fly to beat the shot clock -- and it went in for his first NBA 3-pointer. "My thought was like, Man, if you make that type of shot, then here goes the fourth quarter," Prince said. The Grizzlies led by as many as 19 in the final period, but the Wizards made six 3s over those final 12 minutes. Porter, a career 0-for-10 from long range entering the game, made a second one. The lead was down to two after Bradley Beals 3-pointer with 8.9 seconds remaining, but time ran out not a moment too soon for Memphis, which made its free throws in the closing seconds to preserve a 110-104 win Monday night. "The most important thing," Prince said, "is we stay composed." Prince finished with a season-high 21 points, and Zach Randolph added 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Grizzlies, who improved to a season-high nine games above .500 and pulled within one game of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Memphis shot 60 per cent after the first quarter and outscored Washington 62-34 in the paint for the game. John Wall scored 23 points, Beal had 21, and Marcin Gortat added 16 for the Wizards, who had a six-game winning streak snapped. Washington had answered a challenge by winning its first three games after losing starting forward Nene to a knee injury, but this time the rotation was also missing forwards Kevin Seraphin (sore right knee) and Martell Webster (sore back). Which is how Porter ended up getting some major playing time, something scarcely seen this season by the No. 3 overall pick in the draft. He had scored only 39 points all season, and he looked as surprised as anyone when his first 3-pointer went swish. "I dont know how that went in," he said. "But I had to get it up there." The Grizzlies appeared in control after a 17-2 run over the final 3 1/2 minutes of the third quarter. Mike Conley (20 points, seven assists) started the spurt with a left-handed driving layup. Both Randolph and Tony Allen converted three-point plays, and Prince hit a 3-point shot as the lead grew to 79-64 entering the fourth. After Porters initial 3-pointer, Nick Calathes made a jumper to push the lead to 19, but the Wizards kept coming. Porters second 3-pointer made the score 102-98 with 1:17 to play. But it wouldnt be enough. "I think thats something we find ourselves doing a lot, getting down and digging in the last five minutes of games, and I feel like we cant do that," said Washingtons Trevor Ariza, who scored 15 points. "We gotta play hard throughout the whole game and compete throughout and not wait for the last five minutes to play." The Grizzlies had 10 players make at least two field goals, while the Wizards relied heavily on their starters. Prince, whose veteran contributions arent always reflected satisfactorily in the "points" column, was more of a scoring threat than usual. "The difference tonight was getting a couple of post-ups early, making a couple of shots in the paint," Prince said. "You notice pretty much since Ive been here, its been jump shot after jump shot, so I had the opportunity today to really get inside." Notes: Wall got his 2,000th career assist in the fourth quarter. ... Memphis F James Johnson sat out with a sprained right ankle and is day to day. ... Washington coach Randy Wittman said he expects Webster back for the Wizards next game Wednesday. Theres no timetable for Seraphin, who missed his fourth straight game. ... The Grizzlies are 16-11 on the road, and this win began a stretch in which 12 of 17 are away. "For some reason, the chemistry is a lot better," Prince said. 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The Senators return from a lengthy layoff caused by Wednesdays attack on Parliament Hill to host the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night.EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - It has definitely been a disappointing season for the New York Giants, evidenced by their 5-9 record that will have them missing the NFL playoffs for a third straight season. If there is a highlight for 2014, it would have to be the overall play of their rookie class. Most of the players selected in last Mays draft have made a major impact on the team right away. Only sixth-round pick Bennett Jackson, a cornerback out of Notre Dame, has not contributed; hes spent the season on injured reserve with a knee problem. The rest have all been solid performers. I think you have to give the class an A, said rookie running back Andre Williams, who will have to shoulder the load of the rushing attack Sunday in St. Louis. Veteran Rashad Jennings has been declared out with a severely sprained ankle. I think weve contributed both on offence and defence, Williams said. Weve all had a chance to stand out. Williams has rushed for 568 yards and scored six touchdowns as the teams No. 2 back behind Jennings (606 yards, four TDs). The Boston College product and fourth-round selection knows he will get a chance to display his talents even more in the next two weeks because of Jennings absence. Ive had a great mentor in Rashad and Ive learned a lot from him, Williams said. Im really proud of the way things turned out for me. I was able to stay healthy. Im excited to be able to continue to progress. I think theres a transition you have to go through as a rookie. You cant do it on talent alone. You do have to get comfortable with yourself and your ability. Williams pass blocking and pass receiving were questioned when he entered the league. But Williams has made major strides in both areas, according to coach Tom Coughlin. We talked about his role in pass protection and hes doing a nice job with that, Coughlin said after Fridays practice, the last workout before the Giants face the Rams (6-8) on Sunday. Andre has worked very hard in getting better. Hes learned very well. Exactly what Williams wants to hear. I think my goal is to be well-rounded and Im making strides towards that, Williams said. I want to be an every-down back. Of course, Williams isnt the premier member of the Giants rookie class. That would be spectacular receiver Odell BBeckham, Jr.dddddddddddd, a prime contender for the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. After missing the first four games of the season, Beckham has emerged as the Giants go-to offensive threat. The first-round pick out of LSU has 71 receptions for 972 yards and nine touchdowns. Beckham had 12 receptions for 143 yards and three touchdowns in last Sundays 24-13 win over Washington. In terms of standing out, Odell has gone on and done his own thing right now, Williams said. Hes the best of the bunch. Other rookies have also played their part. Offensive lineman Weston Richburg, the second-round selection out of Colorado State, has been a starter at all three line positions this season. I think there is a sense of pride among the rookies, said Richburg, who will more than likely line up against Larry Donald, a top rookie on the other side of the ball. I think we all wanted to come in and contribute right away. Theres a lot of pride in the whole group. I think any time you get this many young guys playing well, you have to be excited. Jay Bromley, a defensive tackle from Syracuse, has only seen limited action, but fifth-round picks linebacker Devon Kennard and defensive back Nat Berhe have been productive. Kennard has moved into a starting slot at outside linebacker for the last five games, has 39 tackles, 4 1-2 sacks and two forced fumbles, one in each of the last two games. I think Im a better player now than I was when I came to camp, Kennard said. Im trying to progress, trying to improve every week. I think this rookie class came in hungry. We all wanted to play right away. Were all competitors. I just want to be consistent and play well, play fast every Sunday. Berhe, a safety out of San Diego State, is a leader on special teams, even though he never played there before. I just got out there with the special teams and something clicked, Berhe said. Ive been working hard at it ever since. Ive gotten a few chances to get in on a couple of defensive packages. So Im definitely a different player now. Odell is the one who has major successes and we hope that continues, Berhe said. But I think weve gotten to see the entire rookie class come in and make an impact. Everyone has their role. We definitely just have to keep it up. ' ' '