RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) _ The Vancouver Grizzlies are looking like a different team. Not much has changed for the Atlanta Hawks.

Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Othella Harrington scored 18 points apiece as the Grizzlies improved to 3-1 for the first time in franchise history with Monday night's 97-87 victory over the struggling Hawks.

``There's a degree of frustration,'' admitted first-year Hawks coach Lon Kruger, whose team dropped to 0-4. ``When you lose, it just keeps building. But they care and I wouldn't want them to feel any other way than they do right now.''

The absence of injured center Dikembe Mutombo continues to hurt the Hawks, who had the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference (28-54) last season.

Vancouver, meanwhile, has been energized by its improved bench. Grant Long and Ike Austin teamed up for 15 points and 15 rebounds against Atlanta, as Vancouver's reserves outscored their Hawks counterparts 32-19, and gave the Grizzlies a lift when they needed it most.

Trailing 14-5 early, the Grizzlies responded when Abdur-Rahim, Harrington and center Bryant Reeves left, and Long and Austin entered. They helped the Grizzlies build a 50-36 halftime edge over the Hawks, whose only run at Vancouver came in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter.

Austin had nine points and nine rebounds to go with four assists in a season-high 25 minutes. He spelled Reeves, who had only two points. Long had six points and six boards in 13 minutes.

``This organization made the commitment to get a better bench in the offseason and it's making a difference,'' Austin said. ``We keep bringing the energy. If we're up 10 points when we come in, we want to make sure it's 10 points when we leave.''

Vancouver's reserves did better than that. As a result, the Hawks remain one of only two winless teams (Chicago is 0-3) in the NBA.

The only bright spot for the Hawks was the return of Lorenzen Wright, who scored 19 points and had 14 rebounds in his first regular-season action. He's returning from a sprained knee sustained in exhibition play.

For Vancouver coach Sidney Lowe, however, what is still missing is an ability to finish games sooner.

``We had an 18-point lead in the third quarter, then they hit a couple of 3s and didn't quit,'' Lowe said. ``They made their run, but we had guys who made plays. Long was spectacular, and Austin also did a job.''

The Hawks got as close as 87-83 with just over a minute remaining, but were unable to complete the comeback.

``It's another character-building game, and we'd like less of those,'' said Long, a former Hawks forward.

Alan Henderson matched Wright's 19-point effort for Atlanta.

Notes: Grizzlies forward Tony Massenburg confirmed reports that he has asked for a trade. The nine-year veteran signed a three-year free-agent contract with Vancouver in the offseason. Grizzlies general manager Billy Knight said he is not contemplating a deal for Massenburg. ... Vancouver reserve guard Damon Jones left the game with a concussion in the first half. ... The Grizzlies open a three-game road trip Wednesday in Dallas. ... Atlanta continues its road trip Tuesday in Portland and plays Thursday in Phoenix, when Mutombo is eligible to return from the injured list.