We have a serious contender for NBA dunk of the year, courtesy of a nasty one-handed finish from Ja Morant.
The Memphis Grizzlies star left teammates, commentators and fans gobsmacked after pulling off an almighty dunk during the third quarter of his side’s clash with the Indiana Pacers.
After receiving the ball from just outside the arc, Morant drove past two Pacers then launched towards the hoop from well outside the no-charge zone.
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Morant then spectacularly leapt over Jalen Smith and slammed home a right-handed dunk that had Grizzlies players on the bench out of their seats and laughing in disbelief.
“Holy cow … Morant delivering an epic slam,” Pacers broadcaster Chris Denari said.
Analyst Quinn Buckner added: “Look at this jackhammer. Look how far back he started it. Throw it back to the free throw line then come back and put it down.
“Jalen Smith, you have been posterized.
Morant finished with 23 points and 10 assists. He was one of six Memphis players who had double-digit points as the team thumped the Pacers 130-112.
HEAT POUNCE ON GIANNIS-LESS BUCKS
Gabe Vincent scored 27 points and grabbed five steals as the Miami Heat took full advantage of the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo to score a 111-95 defeat of the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.
Miami extended their winning streak to three games after dominating Milwaukee almost from the start to secure a win which saw Erik Spoelstra’s side improve to 24-20 in the Eastern Conference standings.
Vincent was one of five Heat players in double figures, with Victor Oladipo and Bam Adebayo catching the eye with 20 points each.
Adebayo hauled in 13 rebounds with two assists while Jimmy Butler added 16 points in his 26min 35sec on the court at the Miami-Dade Arena.
Nigeria international Vincent, who re-signed with Miami in 2021 after going undrafted in 2018, credited “perseverance” with his latest impressive showing which followed 28 points in a win over Milwaukee on Thursday.
“Just keep going. It’s been a long road, an unconventional route (into the NBA),” Vincent told ABC television in on-court remarks after the win while praising his teammates.
“My guys are getting me open, and I’m finally knocking down some shots — that always helps.”
Miami, who were beaten in the NBA Finals in 2020 and who reached the Eastern Conference finals last year before losing in seven games to Boston, are now within striking distance of the automatic playoff places in seventh place.
Vincent meanwhile says improving defensively will be crucial to Miami’s chances in the second half of the season.
“We’ve got to get back to being a defensive team like we know we can be,” Vincent said.
Milwaukee meanwhile struggled to build offensive pressure against Miami in the absence of Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton.
Two-time MVP Antetokounmpo was ruled out early Saturday with a knee complaint. Bobby Portis led the Bucks scorers with 15 points while Jrue Holiday was limited to 12 points.
— with AFP
NBA SCORES TODAY
Milwaukee Bucks 95 – MIAMI HEAT 111
BOSTON CELTICS 122 – Charlotte Hornets 106
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES 130 – Indiana Pacers 112
Atlanta Hawks – Toronto Raptors
Cleveland Cavaliers – Minnesota Timberwolves
Philadelphia 76ers – Utah Jazz
Dallas Mavericks – Portland Trail Blazers
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