The Library Media — Sports · Sports Desk
Grant Leads Balanced Grizzlies Attack in 142-111 Rout of Pelicans
By Adrian Cole
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana — Jerami Grant scored a season-high 22 points off the bench and the Memphis Grizzlies had 10 players reach double figures in a 142-111 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night at Smoothie King Center.
Memphis built a 70-58 halftime lead and continued to pull away after the break, scoring at least 35 points in each quarter. The Grizzlies led 105-86 entering the fourth and finished with their highest-scoring quarter of the game, adding 37 points.
Grant led the way for a deep Memphis scoring effort. Ty Jerome contributed 17 points and nine assists, while GG Jackson, Cam Spencer and Cedric Coward scored 14 apiece. Cameron Boozer added 12 points and nine rebounds. Memphis held a commanding 76-27 advantage in bench points, according to the Commercial Appeal.
The Grizzlies also found their range from beyond the arc, making 18 of 45 3-point attempts. New Orleans made just seven of 31 from long distance, according to The Associated Press.
Memphis seized control with a 13-0 run in a span of 1 minute, 7 seconds in the second quarter, turning the game into a 62-46 advantage. The Pelicans briefly threatened in the third, using a 10-0 run to cut the deficit to 80-77. Memphis answered with a 15-4 surge, restoring separation and carrying a 19-point lead into the final period.
Saddiq Bey led New Orleans with season highs of 30 points, six 3-pointers and 10 rebounds. Jordan Poole scored 13 points, while Derik Queen added 10. The Pelicans played without Dejounte Murray, who sat out with a left ankle sprain after requesting a trade earlier Friday, according to Reuters.
The win lifted Memphis to 8-4 and extended its unbeaten road start to six games, the best such start in franchise history, according to the AP. The Grizzlies moved to 1-1 in NBA Cup West Group B.
New Orleans fell to 4-9 and lost its fifth consecutive game. The Pelicans are now 0-2 in Cup play.
Adrian Cole
NBA, The Library Media
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