Whack.
The Memphis Grizzlies have obliterated the Milwaukee Bucks at home 142-101 in a stunning one-sided contest on Friday (all times AEDT).
Ja Morant powered his team with a 25-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double – the seventh of his career and third this season – as one of eight Grizzlies to score in double figures in a dominant performance from the hosts. who shot 54.9% percent from the field.
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Fri, 16 Dec
Friday December 16th
It was a game that, on paper at least, had the makings of a classic between two teams sitting top two in their respective conferences, but turned out to be a good old fashioned belting.
But the Grizzlies meant business from the opening tip, leading 33-18 at the end of the first quarter to put Milwaukee, who was at full strength barring Jrue Holiday (illness), on the back foot early.
Memphis kept coming in the second term including an 8-0 run to extend their advantage to 50-25 with 7:32 remaining. By halftime the Grizzlies led by 31.
Taylor Jenkins’ team then really did damage in the third term, scoring 47 points to open up a nearly 50-point lead as the result, if it wasn’t already, was all but decided.
With two minutes remaining in the third, a clearly frustrated Bobby Portis was given a technical then flagrant foul for scratching Santi Aldama in a bizarre act that came under fire.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis both topscored for Milwaukee with 19 each, while the likes of Khris Middleton (three points on 1-of-12 shooting) and Brook Lopez (four points) had unforgettable showings.
With it, the Bucks fell to 20-7 and Memphis improved to 18-9 and moved into first in the West following the Pelicans’ loss in Utah.
ELSEWHERE…
In Utah, the Jazz beat the Pelicans for a second-straight game in overtime 132-129 behind 39 points from Jordan Clarkson.
The contest went into the extra period after Trey Murphy’s game-tying three was followed by Larry Nance Jr. swatting Lauri Markkanen’s potential game winner at the buzzer – initially called a goaltend before a review found it to be a clean block – to close regulation.
The huge play got the NBA world talking.
The Jazz then had the answers in overtime including Clarkson scoring the opening four points before Walker Kessler made a basket then hit one of two free throws on the next possession to open up a five-point lead with 34.1 seconds left.
Zion Williamson continued his brilliant form with 31 points, eight rebounds and eight assists and CJ McCollum had 28 points.
Markkanen’s 31 points were also huge for the Jazz, who improved to 17-14 after snapping New Orleans’ seven-game winning streak earlier this week.
The Pels fell to 18-10 on the season and have been overtaken in the West’s first seed by the Grizzlies.
Was Giddey robbed in the final seconds? | 00:42
Earlier, Tyler Herro exploded for a career-high 41 points on 13-of-20 shooting from the field and 10-of-15 downtown to lead the Miami Heat to a 111-108 road win over the Houston Rockets.
Jimmy Butler added 20 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, four steals and three blocks for the Heat, who survived a late rally from a Rockets team that had been in much better form recently, riding a two-game winning streak.
Jalen Green’s 22 points led all Rockets starters in double figures, while Alperen Sengun left the game early with a foot injury.
The win saw the Heat get back to .500 at 15-15 and climb into the East’s eighth seed.
ALL RESULTS
HEAT 111 ROCKETS 108
BUCKS 101 GRIZZLIES 142
PELICANS 129 JAZZ 132
SUNS 111 CLIPPERS 95
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