Ja Morant Drains Game-Winner In Return, Grizzlies Top Pelicans
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 115-113, at Smoothie King Center on Tuesday.
One of the most anticipated nights of the 2023-24 NBA season happened Tuesday, as Ja Morant was making his season debut for the Grizzlies after missing the first 25 games of the campaign due to a suspension. And as if it was written in a fairy tale, Morant was the star of the game and delivered for Memphis in a way only players of his caliber can do. The Grizzlies endured a rough start despite holding a 25-21 lead in the first quarter, but the Pelicans always looked like the better team. A 39-16 score in the second quarter allowed New Orleans to build a 19-point lead entering halftime, and it seemed the Grizzlies were headed toward another loss. Memphis showed signs of life in the third quarter, but a 36-27 score was not enough to reduce the deficit. However, Memphis stepped its game up late in the fourth, and with Morant leading the way, they completed the comeback. Morant was the hero of the game after draining the game-winning shot at the buzzer. With the win, the Grizzlies moved to 6-8 on the road, while the Pelicans fell to 9-5 at home.
Ja Morant led the way for Memphis with 34 points, eight assists, six rebounds and two steals. Desmond Bane delivered 21 points and five assists. Jaren Jackson Jr. recorded 24 points, six rebounds and three blocks. No other Memphis players scored in double digits. Vince Williams recorded nine points, seven rebounds and three assists. Bismack Biyombo and Santi Aldama each had eight points.
Brandon Ingram posted 34 points for the Pelicans. He also added six assists, four rebounds and two steals. Zion Williamson posted 13 points, four assists and three rebounds. Jonas Valanciunas recorded 22 points and 14 rebounds. CJ McCollum delivered 18 points, six assists and three rebounds. Herbert Jones ended with seven points and two assists.
One of the most anticipated nights of the 2023-24 NBA season happened Tuesday, as Ja Morant was making his season debut for the Grizzlies after missing the first 25 games of the campaign due to a suspension. And as if it was written in a fairy tale, Morant was the star of the game and delivered for Memphis in a way only players of his caliber can do. The Grizzlies endured a rough start despite holding a 25-21 lead in the first quarter, but the Pelicans always looked like the better team. A 39-16 score in the second quarter allowed New Orleans to build a 19-point lead entering halftime, and it seemed the Grizzlies were headed toward another loss. Memphis showed signs of life in the third quarter, but a 36-27 score was not enough to reduce the deficit. However, Memphis stepped its game up late in the fourth, and with Morant leading the way, they completed the comeback. Morant was the hero of the game after draining the game-winning shot at the buzzer. With the win, the Grizzlies moved to 6-8 on the road, while the Pelicans fell to 9-5 at home.
Ja Morant led the way for Memphis with 34 points, eight assists, six rebounds and two steals. Desmond Bane delivered 21 points and five assists. Jaren Jackson Jr. recorded 24 points, six rebounds and three blocks. No other Memphis players scored in double digits. Vince Williams recorded nine points, seven rebounds and three assists. Bismack Biyombo and Santi Aldama each had eight points.
Brandon Ingram posted 34 points for the Pelicans. He also added six assists, four rebounds and two steals. Zion Williamson posted 13 points, four assists and three rebounds. Jonas Valanciunas recorded 22 points and 14 rebounds. CJ McCollum delivered 18 points, six assists and three rebounds. Herbert Jones ended with seven points and two assists.
Bucks Thump Spurs, 132-119
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 132-119, at Fiserv Forum on Wednesday night.
The Bucks (20-7) were big favorites coming in over the Spurs (4-22), which had the added challenge of having to play without Victor Wembanyama (ankle). Milwaukee looked like it was laying the foundation for a rout early taking a 44-26 lead through one. San Antonio was able to shave five points from its deficit in the second quarter, but the the hosts extended their advantage by nine points in the third, setting up the comfortable victory.
Keldon Johnson led the Spurs with a 28-point, 12-rebound double-double that included one assist. Zach Collins delivered 22 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal. Devin Vassell supplied 17 points, three rebounds and two assists. Tre Jones registered 14 points, five assists, one rebound and one steal. Malaki Branham produced 12 points, three assists and two rebounds. Cedi Osman managed 10 points, while Jeremy Sochan provided nine points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and one steal.
Damian Lillard paced the Bucks with 40 points, supplementing them with four assists, three rebounds and three steals. Bobby Portis delivered a 23-point, 10-rebound double-double that included two assists and two steals. Khris Middleton turned in 17 points, four assists, three rebounds and one steal. Brook Lopez finished with 14 points, five rebounds, one assist and six blocks. Giannis Antetokounmpo contributed an 11-point, 16-assist, 14-rebound triple-double that included two steals and one block.
The Spurs remain on the road and visit the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night, while the Bucks remain home and host the Orlando Magic on Thursday night.
The Bucks (20-7) were big favorites coming in over the Spurs (4-22), which had the added challenge of having to play without Victor Wembanyama (ankle). Milwaukee looked like it was laying the foundation for a rout early taking a 44-26 lead through one. San Antonio was able to shave five points from its deficit in the second quarter, but the the hosts extended their advantage by nine points in the third, setting up the comfortable victory.
Keldon Johnson led the Spurs with a 28-point, 12-rebound double-double that included one assist. Zach Collins delivered 22 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal. Devin Vassell supplied 17 points, three rebounds and two assists. Tre Jones registered 14 points, five assists, one rebound and one steal. Malaki Branham produced 12 points, three assists and two rebounds. Cedi Osman managed 10 points, while Jeremy Sochan provided nine points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and one steal.
Damian Lillard paced the Bucks with 40 points, supplementing them with four assists, three rebounds and three steals. Bobby Portis delivered a 23-point, 10-rebound double-double that included two assists and two steals. Khris Middleton turned in 17 points, four assists, three rebounds and one steal. Brook Lopez finished with 14 points, five rebounds, one assist and six blocks. Giannis Antetokounmpo contributed an 11-point, 16-assist, 14-rebound triple-double that included two steals and one block.
The Spurs remain on the road and visit the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night, while the Bucks remain home and host the Orlando Magic on Thursday night.
Warriors Rally To Top Celtics In OT
By Dan Bruno
The Golden State Warriors defeated the visiting Boston Celtics, 132-126, at Chase Center on Tuesday evening.
The game got out to a high-scoring start as the Celtics led, 40-30, after one quarter. The Warriors picked up the pace and took a brief lead in the second, before the Celtics reclaimed the edge before the break. The visitors pushed their lead to 17 points in the third quarter, but the Warriors trimmed it back to 11, heading into the final quarter. The hosts kept chipping away in the fourth and came up with a number of clutch shots down the stretch, capped off with the tying three-pointer by Stephen Curry. The Warriors kept the momentum going in the extra frame and finished strong to close out their third straight win.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 33 points, three rebounds and six assists, in 38 minutes. Klay Thompson followed up with 24 points, four rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block, while Jonathan Kuminga tallied 17 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Meanwhile, Derrick White led the Celtics with 30 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three blocks, in 40 minutes. Jaylen Brown followed up with 28 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and a block, while Jayson Tatum finished with 15 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and two steals.
The Celtics (20-6) will look to bounce back as they clash with the Kings in Sacramento on Wednesday. The Warriors (13-14) play host to the Wizards on Friday,
The game got out to a high-scoring start as the Celtics led, 40-30, after one quarter. The Warriors picked up the pace and took a brief lead in the second, before the Celtics reclaimed the edge before the break. The visitors pushed their lead to 17 points in the third quarter, but the Warriors trimmed it back to 11, heading into the final quarter. The hosts kept chipping away in the fourth and came up with a number of clutch shots down the stretch, capped off with the tying three-pointer by Stephen Curry. The Warriors kept the momentum going in the extra frame and finished strong to close out their third straight win.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 33 points, three rebounds and six assists, in 38 minutes. Klay Thompson followed up with 24 points, four rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block, while Jonathan Kuminga tallied 17 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Meanwhile, Derrick White led the Celtics with 30 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three blocks, in 40 minutes. Jaylen Brown followed up with 28 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and a block, while Jayson Tatum finished with 15 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and two steals.
The Celtics (20-6) will look to bounce back as they clash with the Kings in Sacramento on Wednesday. The Warriors (13-14) play host to the Wizards on Friday,
Blazers Defeat Suns, 109-104
The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the visiting Phoenix Suns, 109-104, at Moda Center on Tuesday.
While Phoenix led by 16 points at the beginning of the second quarter, Portland rode a 38-20 third quarter to their victory. They never relinquished the lead in the fourth quarter, completing a 29-point turnaround in a 20-minute span in the second half. The Trail Blazers shot 50 percent from three-point range (14-of-28) and 90 percent from the free-throw line (17-of-19), while the Suns shot 22 percent from long range (5-of-23) and 71 percent from the charity stripe (15-of-21).
The Suns (14-13) were led by Kevin Durant, collecting 40 points, four rebounds, five assists and two steals. Devin Booker had 26 points, three rebounds and seven assists. Grayson Allen amassed 11 points, nine rebounds and two steals, while Jusuf Nurkic totaled nine points, 13 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. No other player had more than five points.
The Trail Blazers (7-19) were led by Anfernee Simons, accruing 23 points, three rebounds and seven assists. Jerami Grant generated 22 points, four assists and two blocks. DeAndre Ayton accumulated 16 points, 15 rebounds and three assists, while Malcolm Brogdon led the bench with 14 points, four rebounds and four assists.
On deck for Portland is a home matchup with the Washington Wizards on Thursday. As for Phoenix, they return to action on Friday, facing the Sacramento Kings on the road.
While Phoenix led by 16 points at the beginning of the second quarter, Portland rode a 38-20 third quarter to their victory. They never relinquished the lead in the fourth quarter, completing a 29-point turnaround in a 20-minute span in the second half. The Trail Blazers shot 50 percent from three-point range (14-of-28) and 90 percent from the free-throw line (17-of-19), while the Suns shot 22 percent from long range (5-of-23) and 71 percent from the charity stripe (15-of-21).
The Suns (14-13) were led by Kevin Durant, collecting 40 points, four rebounds, five assists and two steals. Devin Booker had 26 points, three rebounds and seven assists. Grayson Allen amassed 11 points, nine rebounds and two steals, while Jusuf Nurkic totaled nine points, 13 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. No other player had more than five points.
The Trail Blazers (7-19) were led by Anfernee Simons, accruing 23 points, three rebounds and seven assists. Jerami Grant generated 22 points, four assists and two blocks. DeAndre Ayton accumulated 16 points, 15 rebounds and three assists, while Malcolm Brogdon led the bench with 14 points, four rebounds and four assists.
On deck for Portland is a home matchup with the Washington Wizards on Thursday. As for Phoenix, they return to action on Friday, facing the Sacramento Kings on the road.