Memphis, Tn- After dropping a game Sunday to the Houston Rockets, the Memphis Grizzlies (45-22) needed to bounce back. Ja Morant scored 24 points, dished out eight assists, and grabbed eight rebounds as the Grizzlies blew out the New Orleans Pelicans(27-38) 132-111 on Tuesday. The All-Star point guard did a bit of everything as he ensured his team got back in the win column.
The Grizzlies were laser-focused on Tuesday at their home arena, the FedEx Forum. They would score 44 points in the first quarter, the second-most points in a first quarter in franchise history. It seemed as if they couldn’t miss, Morant helped set the tone early as he hit a buzzer-beating shot from deep.
The huge first quarter would set the tone. The Grizzlies would score 77 points in the first half, the second-most points in a half in franchise history. A big reason for their success was rebounding. In the first half, they were able to out rebound the Pelicans 30-17. They were also able to just make shots, as they made 55.3% of their shots from the field and made 11 of 21 shots from deep.
The second half would be more of the same. Morant and the Grizzlies refused to let up and their lead would grow to 30+. When the Grizzlies play as they did on Tuesday not many teams would be able to beat them. They were able to score 42 fast breakpoints, which is the most by any team this season. To go along with the 42 fast breakpoints, the Grizzlies also scored 28-second chance points and made 16 shots from deep. They were a true offensive juggernaut.
Morant led the way, but the squad that calls Beale Street home showed out. Including Morant, six players finished with double-digit scoring numbers; Morant (24), Jaren Jackson Jr. (22), Desmond Bane (22), Ziaire Williams (16), Deanthony Melton (14), and Brandon Clarke (12).
Bane was on fire in the first half as he scored 18 of his 22 in the first half.
It was an all-around team effort as the Grizzlies got back to their winning ways.
NOLA Drops Second Straight
CJ McCollum and the Pelicans ran into a Beale Street buzzsaw on Tuesday. They would have needed to play near-perfect basketball to win, which is really hard.
McCollum was excellent as he finished with 32 points, six rebounds, and 11 assists.
Willy Hernangomez added 17 points and nine rebounds off the bench.
It just wasn’t enough when going up against what the Grizzlies did on Tuesday. After winning five straight after the All-Star Break, the Pelicans have now dropped a second straight game. As the playoff hunt heats up they will want to return to their winning ways sooner rather than later.
What’s Next?
The Pelicans will look to bounce back at home on Wednesday against the Orlando Magic (16-50).
The Grizzlies will host RJ Barrett and the New York Knicks (27-38) on Friday.
 needed to bounce back. Ja Morant scored 24 points, dished out eight assists, and grabbed eight rebounds as the Grizzlies blew out the New Orleans Pelicans(27-38) 132-111 on Tuesday. The All-Star point guard did a bit of everything as he ensured his team got back in the win column.){kind=link}