NEW ORLEANS, La. — The Memphis Grizzlies gave fans back home in Memphis, Tenn., a big night on Friday, turning an NBA Cup rematch into a 142-111 rout of the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center and climbing back into the tournament race.
The 31-point margin matters as much as the win. Memphis had been knocked back by a 31-point loss to Oklahoma City on Nov. 6 in its first group game, and point differential can decide who advances. Friday wiped that deficit out and lifted the Grizzlies to 8-4 overall.
Memphis took every quarter. The Grizzlies scored 35 in each of the first three periods, went to the break ahead 70-58 and finished with a 37-25 fourth quarter.
Scoring came from everywhere. Ten Memphis players reached double figures, a franchise first that also matched the league record. Jerami Grant was the top scorer at 22, hitting seven of his 10 attempts. Ty Jerome ran the offense with nine assists to go with 17 points, while Cedric Coward filled the box score with 14 points, seven boards and six assists and never gave the ball away.
The reserves carried a big share of the load. Off the bench, Cam Spencer and GG Jackson chipped in 14 apiece, and Taylor Hendricks pulled down 12 rebounds while scoring 10. Isaiah Stewart started at center while Zach Edey sat out, since Edey has not yet been cleared for both ends of back-to-back games after last season’s ankle procedure. In 20 minutes of work, Stewart blocked four shots and added 12 points and five rebounds.
Shooting from long range told the story. Memphis connected on 18 of its 45 shots from beyond the arc, compared with 7 of 31 for New Orleans, and the Grizzlies also handed out 35 assists and sank 36 of 41 free throws.
The result also pushed Memphis to 6-0 away from home, extending a franchise-best road start, and avenged a 135-134 overtime loss to the Pelicans on Nov. 2. There is little time to celebrate: the Grizzlies host the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday at 7 p.m. Central at FedExForum in Memphis.
Section: More Memphis TN sports news
Memphis sports business profiles
Filed under: Memphis TN Sports News
