Memphis Jan. 30 (BUS): Ja Morant scored 34 points, in his sixth consecutive game with at least 30 points, and the Memphis Grizzlies took an early lead in a 115-95 win over the Washington Wizards on Saturday night.
Morant, chosen as the All-Star Start for the Western Conference this week, was 15 of 27 from the field, including 4 of 8 from the 3-point range, the AP reports.
Desmond scored between 19 points and Diantoni Milton added 13 points to lead the Grizzlies to a third straight win and fourth in five games. Stephen Adams scored 10 points and 15 rebounds. With Memphis dominating the boards 60-37.
Kyle Kuzma led Washington with 30 points and eight rebounds. The magicians have lost five in a row.
Kentavius Caldwell Pope added 15 points and Spencer Dinwiddie added 10 points to Washington. Scoring leader Bradley Beal was suspended on nine points, and 2 of 11 went from the ground. He had 12 assists.
The Wizards took three full days off after wasting 35 points in the lead in a 116-115 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night. With Saturday’s loss, Washington pulled out of a tie with Atlanta for 10th in the Eastern Conference.
The Grizzlies, who lost by 28 in Washington on November 5, changed direction early on, notching a double-digit lead that eventually reached 27 in the first half.
The Wizards showed more life after the break, cutting the difference to 13, but the deficit remained 87-72 after three quarters. The witches did not threaten in the fourth.
very simple
Pre-match media availability for coach Wizards Wes Unseld Jr. , a caller noted that the Grizzlies lead the NBA in seven stat categories and asked what Washington needs to take away. Unseld answered quickly: “Six of them.”
Hint
Wizards: 4-17 at Memphis since the Grizzlies moved from Vancouver in 2001. …shift in starting lineup; Thomas Bryant started in the center, sending Daniel Gavford to the bench. This was Bryant’s first start to the season. And he returned eight games ago from a left knee injury.
Grizzlies: Rookie Zayer Williams sat with a sore left knee. With no Williams, John Konchar started up front. … F Kyle Anderson is back on the court after missing the previous seven matches under health and safety protocol.
next one
Wizards: In Milwaukee on Tuesday night.
Grizzlies: In Philadelphia on Monday night.