Morant’s strong finish sends Grizzlies to sixth straight win
CLEVELAND — Ja Morant scored six of his 26 points in the final 30 seconds, including the go-ahead basket, allowing the Memphis Grizzlies to extend their winning streak to six with a 110-106 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night.
Morant gave Memphis a 106-104 lead with a double-pump short jumper, then stripped the ball from Brandon Goodwin and scored on Cleveland’s subsequent possession with 22 seconds remaining.
After Lauri Markkanen’s layup pulled the Cavaliers within 108-106, Morant made a pair of free throws to lock up Memphis’ 10th road victory in its last 11 games. The Grizzlies won 118-104 at Brooklyn one night earlier.
“At the end of games, I love being the guy to take that shot — make or miss — and I’ve been delivering of late,” Morant said. “When I attack, my job is just to make the right play, whether it’s me or it’s a drop-off to one of my teammates.”
Darius Garland had 27 points and 10 assists in his return to Cleveland’s lineup after missing four games in the NBA’s health and safety protocols, while Jarrett Allen had 22 points and 12 rebounds. The Cavaliers have dropped four of five.
Kevin Love had 18 points and 10 rebounds off the bench, and Evan Mobley added 17 points and eight boards for Cleveland.
“We’re learning that the fourth quarters are what’s important,” Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “Every shot, every pass, every possession, every box out, every rotation means everything. Give Memphis credit for hitting the shots at the end.”
Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 22 points and Desmond Bane had 11 points and a career-best seven assists for Memphis. Morant also had six assists, but had his franchise-record run of 30-point games end at four.
“It was definitely tough to get to the rim against their big guys, but I made some big shots to close it out,” said Morant, who is averaging 30.7 points and 6.2 assists during the win streak. “It’s a good feeling, knowing everyone has the confidence that I can do it.”
Grizzlies assistant coach Brad Jones filled in for Taylor Jenkins, who was attending a memorial service for this father-in-law. Jenkins was named Western Conference coach of the month earlier in the day.
“We have a great group of guys and I knew they wouldn’t let me get away without celebrating,” Jones said, smiling broadly. “I had a bunch of water baths and ice dumped on me, which was the most fun of the night, honestly.”
Cleveland, which went 1-2 on its three-game homestand, now embarks on its longest trip of the season. The Cavaliers play their next six on the road.
“We made a couple mistakes, offensively and defensively, at the worst time and weren’t in the positions that Coach put us in,” Allen said. “It’s too bad because we were all excited to have Darius back and missed the energy he brings.”
Brandon Clarke finished with 13 points and nine rebounds for Memphis, which scored 58 points in the paint.
NEW ARRIVAL
Cavaliers G Rajon Rondo is out of the NBA’s health and safety protocols, but won’t make his team debut until completing a conditioning stint. The four-time All-Star was acquired from the Lakers in a three-team trade Monday.
Rondo, who averaged 3.1 points and 3.7 assists in 18 games with Los Angeles, fills a huge need created when Cleveland lost guards Ricky Rubio and Collin Sexton to season-ending left knee injuries.
“He can make our big guys better and he can play with Darius,” Bickerstaff said. “All around, it looks like it’s going to be a fit and a win for us.”
TIP-INS
Grizzlies: G Dillon Brooks, G De’Anthony Melton, F Kyle Anderson, F Xavier Tillman and G John Konchar are in the league safety protocols, while G Tyrell Terry has a non-COVID illness. … Rookie G Ziaire Williams, the 10th overall pick from Stanford, scored 10 points after missing 16 games with left knee and left ankle injuries. … Former Michigan C Jon Teske made his NBA debut Monday at Brooklyn. Teske signed a 10-day contract via a hardship roster exception.
Cavaliers: G Isaac Okoro (left elbow sprain) will miss the next 2-3 weeks after being hurt Monday against Indiana. Okoro ran into a pick set by Pacers center Domantas Sabonis near the top of the key. … F Cedi Osman remains in the COVID-19 protocols and has been sidelined for six straight games. … G Dylan Windler (left knee soreness) returned from a one-game absence. … Two-way C Tacko Fall is on assignment with the Cleveland Charge of the G League.
UP NEXT
Grizzlies: Host Detroit on Thursday night.
Cavaliers: Visit Portland on Friday night.
SUNS 123, PELICANS 110
NEW ORLEANS — Devin Booker scored 33 points, Chris Paul added 11 points and 15 assists, and Phoenix beat New Orleans.
Mikal Bridges added 23 points for Phoenix, which picked up its seventh win over the Pelicans in the last nine games. He and Cameron Johnson (18 points) both made five 3-pointers, while veteran center Bismack Biyombo shot 6 for 6 and scored 16.
The Suns led by as many as 16 points in the first quarter but were up just 101-99 after Devonte’ Graham made his third 3-pointer of the fourth quarter with 6:21 left. But Booker, with 11 fourth-quarter points, sparked a 22-11 run by the Suns to put away the game.
Graham scored 28 points for New Orleans, which has lost four of five. Jonas Valanciunas finished with 25 points and 16 rebounds.
KNICKS 104, PACERS 94
NEW YORK — RJ Barrett scored 24 of his 32 points in the first half, Julius Randle had 30 points and 16 rebounds in his first game after coming off the COVID-19 health and safety protocols list, and New York beat Indiana.
Alec Burks added 14 points for New York (18-20), which snapped a two-game losing streak. Immanuel Quickley chipped in with 11.
Kiefer Skyes scored 22 points in the Pacers’ fifth straight loss. Duane Washington Jr. added 17. Domantas Sabonis and Torrey Craig each contributed 15.
RAPTORS 129, SPURS 104
TORONTO — Fred VanVleet scored 33 points, Pascal Siakam had 18 points and 12 rebounds, and Toronto extended its winning streak to three by beating San Antonio.
Gary Trent Jr. scored 21 points as the Raptors evened their record at 17-17, reaching the .500 mark for the first time since they were 7-7 after a Nov. 13 home loss to Detroit.
The Raptors have won eight of their past 10 at home.
Toronto’s OG Anunoby scored 14 points and rookie Scottie Barnes had 11 points and a career-best eight assists. Justin Champagnie scored a career-high 14 for the Raptors, who matched their season-high point total.
Former Raptors center Jakob Poeltl scored 19 points and Devin Vassell and rookie Josh Primo each had 15 as the slumping Spurs lost their fourth straight. Derrick White scored 12 for San Antonio.
LAKERS 122, KINGS 114
LOS ANGELES — LeBron James scored 14 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter, Malik Monk added 11 of his 24 in the final seven minutes, and Los Angeles beat Sacramento for its fourth win in five games.
Talen Horton-Tucker scored 19 points for the Lakers, who rallied from a late seven-point deficit with one big basket after another from Monk and James. Monk hit six 3-pointers in yet another impressive offensive game, and Russell Westbrook added 19 points and drew a key late charge as the Lakers climbed back above .500.
Westbrook played 34 minutes in his first turnover-free game since March 14, 2016.
De’Aaron Fox scored 30 points and Buddy Hield added 26 with seven 3-pointers for the Kings, who scored 11 consecutive points early in the fourth quarter before wilting down the stretch. Harrison Barnes had 14 points for Sacramento, which had won three straight over the Lakers in Los Angeles.
