MEMPHIS, Tennessee — Jonas Valanciunas had 27 points and 17 rebounds, rookie Ja Morant added 24 points and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Atlanta Hawks, 118-101, on Saturday night (Sunday, Manila time) to keep their hold on the final Western Conference playoff spot.
Josh Jackson had 17 points, Dillon Brooks and De'Anthony Melton added 13 each and Memphis won its fourth in the last five. Valanciunas was 10 of 13 from the field and had three blocks.
John Collins led the Hawks with 27 points, converting 9 of 16 shots, including 3 of 5 from 3-point range. Trae Young, who averages 29.6 a game, was held to 16 points, making only 4 of 16 on the night, including missing all by one of his 10 3-point attempts.
Memphis dominated the game, leading by 26 points at one point and held the Hawks to 33.7% shooting.
Atlanta's shooting woes were evident early, making only three of its first 18 shots and shooting 23.8% in the first quarter as Memphis took the lead to as many as 20.
Young did not get his first field goal until a goaltending call with 8:22 in the half.
Memphis stretched the lead to 26 before halftime and the Grizzlies carried a 66-45 lead into the break.
The Hawks' shooting was sitting at 29.8%, at halftime while Memphis connected on 52%.
Atlanta would put a dent in the Memphis lead and was within 93-78 entering the fourth quarter, but the Grizzlies were still above 51% shooting, while Atlanta was about 35%.
But the Hawks never really threatened the rest of the way, dropping their third straight.
TIP-INS
Hawks: Cam Reddish, who was probable before the game with lower back pain, left in the first half suffering lower limb cramping and did not return. … The Hawks 29.8% shooting in the first half was a season-low for the first half. The previous first-half low was 32.6% against the Clippers on Jan. 22. … Kevin Huerter has knocked down multiple 3-pointers in six straight games. … Collins has a 3-pointer in eight straight.
Grizzlies: Valanciunas missed a tip-in at the buzzer before halftime, his only miss in the first half. He had made 14 straight shots and the missed tip prevented him from tying the franchise record of 15 straight by Marc Gasol. …Valanciunas recorded his 32nd double-double in the first half. … Kyle Anderson was 5 of 7 from the field, including 2 of 3 from 3-point range finishing with 12 points.
UP NEXT
Hawks: Host Charlotte on Monday night.
Grizzlies: Host Orlando on Tuesday night.
[ArticleReco:{"articles":["100559","100560","100556","100552"], "widget":"More from spin"}]
Source: Spin PH
0 comments: