INDIA — Ja Morant had 23 points, 10 assists and another furious pitch when Grizzly Memphis defeat Indiana Pacers 130-112 on Saturday night to extend the NBA’s current longest winning streak to nine games.
Desmond Bane scored 25 points to lead the Grizzlies, who drew Denver to take the Western Conference’s best record with a score of 29-13.
Neither Bane nor Morant were needed in the fourth quarter. Morant spiked slam past Jalen Smith turned it into a 20-point game with 4 minutes and 20 seconds left in the third inning, and Memphis had a 34-point lead in the fourth.
Morant has averaged 28.7 points in Memphis’ winning streak.
When asked if the pitch was his best shot, Morant said, “Yes, easy” because of the difficulty, then added, “It’s what everyone has been waiting for. Finally I do. did it.”
Bane added: “I’ve never seen anything like that. That would probably be considered the hit of the year.”
The game ended in the second half before Memphis overcame the Pacers 27-11 to take a 68-52 lead after halftime. Morant had five points and four assists in that span.
Bane, who grew up in Richmond, Indiana, said: “Obviously we were having fun out there, playing hard and playing together.
Santi Aldama get 17 points and Ziaire Williams 13 for the Grizzlies.
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said of the achievement: “We don’t play perfect basketball. “I’m glad our boys are finding different ways to win, whether we’re leading or playing from behind. Each match presents a different challenge for us and Our boys were on the right track.”
backup guard Chris Duarte scored 25 points for the Pacers. rookie Benedict Mathurin there are 16 and TJ McConnell 13.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said: “It could very well be the best team on the planet right now. “They’re hard to play.”
The Pacers, missing two starts, have lost three games in a row. protection point Tyrese haliburton, Indiana’s top scorer and top playmaker in the NBA, is expected to miss two weeks after straining his left elbow and conjuring his left knee on Wednesday. Center Myles Turnerwho scored an average of 17 points, were disqualified due to back spasms.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
