Morant and Bane star as the Grizzlies beat the Nets 135-119

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Ja Morant had 28 points and 10 assists, and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Brooklyn Nets 135-119 on Friday night for their fourth consecutive win.

Desmond Bane added 21 points as Memphis improved to 10-1 in its last 11 games overall. Santi Aldama and Jaren Jackson Jr. each had 20 points.

Memphis lost its first two games against Brooklyn this season.

Dorian Finney-Smith led the Nets with 19 points, while Dennis Schroder and Jalen Wilson each finished with 15. The Nets lost for the fifth time in six games.

The Grizzlies led 69-56 at halftime. Morant scored 18 in the first half.

Morant and Bane star as the Grizzlies beat the Nets 135-119 | iNFOnews.ca
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) shoots between Brooklyn Nets guard Dennis Schroder (17) and forward Cameron Johnson (2) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Takeaways

Nets: Brooklyn played physical on defense and the game got chippy in the second half. The Nets ended up shooting 46% from the field.

Grizzlies: The Grizzlies were able to play the game at more of their pace, scoring more points than their league-leading average of 122. They also managed 22 fast-break points.

Key moment

The Nets put together an 11-0 run early in the third quarter to erase a double-digit deficit, but the Grizzlies answered with an 18-3 burst that took the lead back to 17 points.

Morant and Bane star as the Grizzlies beat the Nets 135-119 | iNFOnews.ca
Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke (15) handles the ball against Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Key stat

Memphis averages 122.1 points a game. The Nets had held the Grizzlies under 107 in the two previous wins this season. Memphis was already at 107 entering the fourth quarter.

Up next

Brooklyn hosts Cleveland on Monday. Memphis travels to Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Sunday.

Morant and Bane star as the Grizzlies beat the Nets 135-119 | iNFOnews.ca
Brooklyn Nets forward Jalen Wilson (22) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart (36) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
Morant and Bane star as the Grizzlies beat the Nets 135-119 | iNFOnews.ca
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) reacts beside Brooklyn Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez, left, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
Morant and Bane star as the Grizzlies beat the Nets 135-119 | iNFOnews.ca
Brooklyn Nets forward Jalen Wilson (22) drives against Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart (36) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.