Rudy Gay scored 21 points as the Memphis Grizzlies cruised to a 96-77 win over the host Atlanta Hawks on Thursday night.

Tony Allen and O.J. Mayo added 18 points apiece for the Grizzlies (12-10), who outscored the Hawks 26-12 in the pivotal third quarter.

Josh Smith's 11 points paced Atlanta (16-7), which lost for just the second time at home this season.

Already up 10 at the break, the Grizzlies extended the lead thanks to the Hawks' ineptitude on the offensive end. Atlanta had seven missed shots and three turnovers before scoring its first points of the third quarter, allowing Memphis to stretch its lead to 17.

Allen's driving layup and free throw made it a 71-51 game with 4:15 remaining, and Mayo converted his own three-point play with less than two minutes left as the Grizzlies opened up an insurmountable 24-point lead after three. Atlanta wouldn't challenge the rest of the way.

Neither team led by more than seven points for most of a back-and-forth opening half that saw the clubs exchange leads on five occasions. Memphis took charge late in the second quarter as Allen poured in five points during a 9-0 run, then knocked down a last-second 3-pointer that lifted the Grizzlies to a 53-43 halftime advantage.