Yes Morant, Grizzlies take care of broken Pelicans

Ja Morant scored 27 points, Jaren Jackson Jr. added 23 and backup Santi Aldama had 20 points, leading the Memphis Grizzlies to their first NBA Cup victory on Friday, 120-109 over the visiting New Orleans Pelicans.

The Pelicans, playing without Zion Williamson (hamstring) and Brandon Ingram (right calf sore), suffered their seventh straight loss. Memphis won its fifth straight and its ninth in twelve games.

CJ McCollum led New Orleans with a season-high 30 points. Dejounte Murray and Trey Murphy III added 21 points each, while Yves Missi contributed 16 points and 14 rebounds.

The Grizzlies entered the game with an 0-6 record in the NBA Cup over two seasons, but led for much of the game against the undermanned Pelicans. Memphis, which led for most of the game, extended its lead to 17 points late in the third quarter on two free throws from Jackson.

Marcus Smart made and assisted several key baskets for the Grizzlies midway through the fourth quarter as New Orleans made its final run. The Pelicans cut Memphis’ lead to nine points with 5:18 left before Smart made a left-handed hook into the paint and followed with a walkup 3-pointer.

Morant returned after missing Wednesday’s game against Detroit with a left knee injury. He entered Friday after missing nine of the Grizzlies’ last 10 games. He added a team-high seven assists and three steals.

Memphis led for most of the first half and built its largest lead of 11 points late in the second half. The Grizzlies led by the same margin at halftime (67-56) after shooting 53.8 percent and scoring 34 bench points, including 16 from Aldama.

Aldama closed the first half on a 16-4 run, hitting two 3-pointers and capping the flurry with a reverse layup.

The Grizzlies, who entered the night leading the NBA in assists per game, had 22 assists on 28 made baskets before halftime. Memphis finished the game with 36 assists and 47 field goals.

Murray had 17 points to lead the Pelicans in the first half. Murray played his second straight game after missing 17 straight games with a broken left hand.

–Field level media