Morant's 27 points help streaking Grizzlies hold off Hawks
ATLANTA (AP) Hidden in the Memphis Grizzlies’ six-game winning streak is a potentially more important number for the team’s postseason hopes - two straight road wins.
Ja Morant scored 27 points in his return to the Memphis starting lineup and the Grizzlies held off the Atlanta Hawks 123-119 on Sunday night to extend the NBA's longest active winning streak.
Desmond Bane added 25 points for Memphis, twice delivering fourth-quarter baskets after Atlanta pulled within one.
Memphis (47-27) is second in the Western Conference despite a 15-22 road record. Back-to-back wins away from Memphis provide hope the Grizzlies are gaining crucial late-season momentum in road games.
The six-game winning streak began with a 126-120 overtime victory at San Antonio on March 17. A win at Atlanta (37-38) was "huge,” according to Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr.
“We haven’t really been getting it going on the road,” Jackson said.
Morant received a big cheer from the Atlanta sellout crowd during pregame introductions. He came off the bench in his first two games after serving an eight-game NBA suspension for posting a video in which he was shown waving a gun at a Denver-area strip club.
Morant's minutes were still watched closely by coach Taylor Jenkins, who had the two-time All-Star on the bench early in the fourth quarter when the Hawks made a charge.
Saddiq Bey's 3-point play for Atlanta cut the Grizzlies' lead to 98-87 before Bane responded by sinking a jumper. AJ Griffin's jumper again pulled the Hawks within one before Bane answered with another basket.
“We got caught in a spot trying to figure out Ja's minutes,” Jenkins explained.
Jenkins said before the game he hoped to keep Morant's minutes in the “upper 20s.” Morant played 29 minutes.
Minutes later, Bane's 3-pointer gave Memphis a 110-103 advantage. The Hawks made one final push, cutting the Grizzlies' lead to 122-119 on De'Andre Hunter's 3-pointer. After a free throw by Tyus Jones extended the lead to four points, Atlanta called a timeout with 11.6 seconds remaining.
Trae Young, who led Atlanta with 28 points, missed a short jumper before Bogdan Bogdanovic's 3 from the corner also was no good.
COMEBACK FALLS SHORT
Young added 10 assists one day after he was ejected for throwing the ball at an official during the Hawks' 143-130 win over Indiana on Saturday.
“If one or two more shots go in, it's a different story,” Young said, noting the Grizzlies made 13 3-pointerss, compared to only seven for the Hawks. “They hit six more 3s than us and only won by four.”
BLOCKING HAWKS SHOTS - AGAIN
Jackson continued to thrive as a shot blocker against Atlanta. Jackson set a career high with eight blocks in the Grizzlies' 128-103 home win over the Hawks on Dec. 12. He added five blocks on Sunday, all in the first half.
Jackson was called for a foul on a block that knocked John Collins to the floor with six seconds remaining in the first half. Jackson and Jenkins were called for technical fouls for arguing the call against Jackson, and a review confirmed it was a clean block.
MAN IN THE MIDDLE
The Hawks also got big production from their big men. Starting center Clint Capela had 18 points and 16 rebounds. Backup Onyeka Okongwu added 13 points and seven rebounds. The two combined for five blocks, including four by Capela.
Atlanta took a 31-9 advantage in second-chance points built on their 48-39 edge in rebounds.
TIP-INS
Grizzlies: With Morant starting, Jones had 13 points in a backup role. Jackson scored 15.
Hawks: Hunter started after missing one game with a bruised left knee. Bogdanovic, also slowed by a bruised left knee, returned to a backup role. ... F Jalen Johnson (groin, hamstring) missed his sixth straight game.
UP NEXT
Grizzlies: Host Orlando on Tuesday.
Hawks: Host Cleveland on Tuesday.
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| Time | Team | Play | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00 |  | Jaren Jackson Jr. vs. Clint Capela (Ja Morant gains possession) | ||
| 11:41 |  | +2 | Jaren Jackson Jr. makes two point reverse dunk (Desmond Bane assists) | 2-0 |
| 11:22 | | Trae Young misses two point driving floating jump shot | ||
| 11:18 | | John Collins offensive rebound | ||
| 11:16 | | +2 | Trae Young makes two point jump shot (John Collins assists) | 2-2 |
| 11:07 | | +3 | Desmond Bane makes three point pullup jump shot | 5-2 |
| 10:48 | | +2 | Dejounte Murray makes two point pullup jump shot | 5-4 |
| 10:43 | | Desmond Bane turnover (back court violation) | ||
| 10:36 | | Dejounte Murray misses three point jump shot | ||
| 10:32 | | Xavier Tillman defensive rebound | ||
| 10:26 | | Dillon Brooks misses two point driving layup | ||
| 10:23 | | Clint Capela defensive rebound | ||
| 10:20 | | De'Andre Hunter misses three point running jump shot | ||
| 10:17 | | Ja Morant defensive rebound | ||
| 10:13 | | Dillon Brooks offensive foul (Charge) (John Collins draws the foul) | ||
| 10:13 | | Dillon Brooks turnover (offensive foul) | ||
| 10:03 | | John Collins misses two point driving floating jump shot | ||
| 10:00 | | Xavier Tillman defensive rebound | ||
| 9:56 | | +2 | Ja Morant makes two point running layup (Dillon Brooks assists) | 7-4 |
| 9:48 | | Desmond Bane personal foul (Dejounte Murray draws the foul) | ||
| 9:43 | | Jaren Jackson Jr. blocks De'Andre Hunter's two point driving floating jump shot | ||
| 9:40 | | De'Andre Hunter offensive rebound | ||
| 9:38 | | +2 | De'Andre Hunter makes two point putback layup | 7-6 |
| 9:27 | | Desmond Bane misses two point driving floating bank jump shot | ||
| 9:23 | | Clint Capela defensive rebound | ||
| 9:16 | | De'Andre Hunter misses three point jump shot | ||
| 9:13 | | Xavier Tillman defensive rebound | ||
| 8:56 | | Ja Morant misses two point stepback jump shot | ||
| 8:52 | | Clint Capela defensive rebound | ||
| 8:49 | | +2 | John Collins makes two point running dunk (Dejounte Murray assists) | 7-8 |
| 8:32 | | +2 | Jaren Jackson Jr. makes two point driving hook shot | 9-8 |
| 8:13 | | Dejounte Murray turnover (bad pass) (Jaren Jackson Jr. steals) | ||
| 8:05 | | Xavier Tillman misses two point driving floating jump shot | ||
| 8:01 | | Clint Capela defensive rebound | ||
| 7:51 | | Trae Young misses two point driving floating jump shot | ||
| 7:49 | | Jaren Jackson Jr. defensive rebound | ||
| 7:44 | | +3 | Desmond Bane makes three point running jump shot (Xavier Tillman assists) | 12-8 |
| 7:24 | | Dejounte Murray misses two point driving floating jump shot | ||
| 7:22 | | Clint Capela offensive rebound | ||
| 7:22 | | +2 | Clint Capela makes two point tip layup | 12-10 |
| 7:15 | | De'Andre Hunter personal foul (Jaren Jackson Jr. draws the foul) | ||
| 7:10 | | Ja Morant misses three point jump shot | ||
| 7:07 | | Xavier Tillman offensive rebound | ||
| 7:00 | | Desmond Bane misses three point pullup jump shot | ||
| 6:56 | | Clint Capela defensive rebound | ||
| 6:50 | | Trae Young turnover (lost ball) (Ja Morant steals) | ||
| 6:46 | | Jaren Jackson Jr. turnover (bad pass) (De'Andre Hunter steals) | ||
| 6:38 | | +2 | John Collins makes two point alley-oop layup (Dejounte Murray assists) | 12-12 |
| 6:37 | | Grizzlies 60 second timeout | ||
| 6:21 | | Santi Aldama misses three point jump shot | ||
| 6:17 | | Dejounte Murray defensive rebound | ||
| 6:10 | | Ja Morant shooting foul (Dejounte Murray draws the foul) | ||
| 6:10 | | +1 | Dejounte Murray makes regular free throw 1 of 3 | 12-13 |
| 6:10 | | +1 | Dejounte Murray makes regular free throw 2 of 3 | 12-14 |
| 6:10 | | Dejounte Murray misses regular free throw 3 of 3 | ||
| 6:07 | | Santi Aldama defensive rebound | ||
| 5:53 | | +3 | Dillon Brooks makes three point jump shot (Ja Morant assists) | 15-14 |
| 5:37 | | Dejounte Murray misses two point pullup jump shot | ||
| 5:34 | | Clint Capela offensive rebound | ||
| 5:29 | | De'Andre Hunter misses three point jump shot | ||
| 5:25 | | Dillon Brooks defensive rebound | ||
| 5:19 | | +3 | Jaren Jackson Jr. makes three point running jump shot (Dillon Brooks assists) | 18-14 |
| 5:02 | | John Collins misses three point jump shot | ||
| 5:00 | | Luke Kennard defensive rebound | ||
| 4:44 | | +2 | Ja Morant makes two point driving layup | 20-14 |
| 4:34 | | Jaren Jackson Jr. blocks John Collins's two point driving layup | ||
| 4:30 | | Bogdan Bogdanovic offensive rebound | ||
| 4:29 | | +3 | Bogdan Bogdanovic makes three point stepback jump shot | 20-17 |
| 4:28 | | Dillon Brooks turnover (inbound) | ||
| 4:21 | | De'Andre Hunter misses two point pullup jump shot | ||
| 4:16 | | Luke Kennard defensive rebound | ||
| 4:10 | | Santi Aldama misses three point jump shot | ||
| 4:08 | | Onyeka Okongwu defensive rebound | ||
| 4:01 | | Dillon Brooks shooting foul (Dejounte Murray draws the foul) | ||
| 4:01 | | +1 | Dejounte Murray makes regular free throw 1 of 3 | 20-18 |
| 4:01 | | Dejounte Murray misses regular free throw 2 of 3 | ||
| 4:01 | | Hawks offensive rebound | ||
| 4:01 | | +1 | Dejounte Murray makes regular free throw 3 of 3 | 20-19 |
| 3:49 | | Luke Kennard misses three point jump shot | ||
| 3:46 | | Onyeka Okongwu defensive rebound | ||
| 3:41 | | AJ Griffin misses two point driving floating jump shot | ||
| 3:38 | | Jaren Jackson Jr. defensive rebound | ||
| 3:31 | | Jaren Jackson Jr. turnover (lost ball) (Bogdan Bogdanovic steals) | ||
| 3:28 | | +2 | Bogdan Bogdanovic makes two point running finger roll layup | 20-21 |
| 3:12 | | +2 | Jaren Jackson Jr. makes two point driving floating jump shot (Tyus Jones assists) | 22-21 |
| 2:56 | | AJ Griffin misses three point stepback jump shot | ||
| 2:53 | | John Konchar defensive rebound | ||
| 2:51 | | John Konchar turnover (discontinue dribble) | ||
| 2:51 | | Hawks 60 second timeout | ||
| 2:48 | | Saddiq Bey misses three point jump shot | ||
| 2:45 | | Luke Kennard defensive rebound | ||
| 2:25 | | John Konchar misses two point jump shot | ||
| 2:22 | | Luke Kennard offensive rebound | ||
| 2:21 | | +2 | Luke Kennard makes two point putback layup | 24-21 |
| 2:05 | | +2 | Onyeka Okongwu makes two point cutting dunk (Trae Young assists) | 24-23 |
| 2:03 | | Hawks delay of game violation | ||
| 1:49 | | +2 | Tyus Jones makes two point driving floating jump shot (Xavier Tillman assists) | 26-23 |
| 1:32 | | Trae Young turnover (bad pass) (Xavier Tillman steals) | ||
| 1:26 | | +3 | Tyus Jones makes three point running jump shot (Xavier Tillman assists) | 29-23 |
| 1:04 | | Saddiq Bey misses two point driving reverse layup | ||
| 1:03 | | Onyeka Okongwu offensive rebound | ||
| 1:03 | | +2 | Onyeka Okongwu makes two point putback layup | 29-25 |
| 1:03 | | Santi Aldama defensive goaltending violation | ||
| 0:50 | | Luke Kennard misses three point jump shot | ||
| 0:47 | | Tyus Jones offensive rebound | ||
| 0:36 | | +2 | Tyus Jones makes two point pullup jump shot | 31-25 |
| 0:29 | | John Konchar shooting foul (Trae Young draws the foul) | ||
| 0:29 | | +1 | Trae Young makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 31-26 |
| 0:29 | | +1 | Trae Young makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 31-27 |
| 0:06 | | +3 | Luke Kennard makes three point jump shot (Santi Aldama assists) | 34-27 |
| 0:00 | | Bogdan Bogdanovic misses three point pullup jump shot | ||
| 0:00 | | Hawks offensive rebound | ||
| 0:00 | | End of period |
| Time | Team | Play | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11:45 | | Saddiq Bey misses two point driving reverse layup | ||
| 11:44 | | Hawks offensive rebound | ||
| 11:39 | | +3 | Bogdan Bogdanovic makes three point pullup jump shot | 34-30 |
| 11:11 | | Xavier Tillman misses two point turnaround fadeaway jump shot | ||
| 11:08 | | Saddiq Bey defensive rebound | ||
| 11:01 | | AJ Griffin misses two point pullup jump shot | ||
| 10:57 | | Desmond Bane defensive rebound | ||
| 10:52 | | +3 | Luke Kennard makes three point running jump shot (Desmond Bane assists) | 37-30 |
| 10:41 | | Saddiq Bey misses three point jump shot | ||
| 10:39 | | Onyeka Okongwu offensive rebound | ||
| 10:38 | | +2 | Onyeka Okongwu makes two point tip layup | 37-32 |
| 10:27 | | +2 | Desmond Bane makes two point driving floating jump shot (Tyus Jones assists) | 39-32 |
| 10:14 | | +2 | Saddiq Bey makes two point cutting dunk (Bogdan Bogdanovic assists) | 39-34 |
| 10:00 | | David Roddy misses three point jump shot | ||
| 9:57 | | Saddiq Bey defensive rebound | ||
| 9:45 | | Bogdan Bogdanovic misses three point jump shot | ||
| 9:41 | | Xavier Tillman defensive rebound | ||
| 9:35 | | Tyus Jones misses two point pullup jump shot | ||
| 9:31 | | Onyeka Okongwu defensive rebound | ||
| 9:26 | | David Roddy personal foul (Onyeka Okongwu draws the foul) | ||
| 9:19 | | +2 | Bogdan Bogdanovic makes two point pullup jump shot | 39-36 |
| 8:57 | | +2 | Desmond Bane makes two point driving floating bank jump shot | 41-36 |
| 8:32 | | +2 | Saddiq Bey makes two point cutting dunk (Dejounte Murray assists) | 41-38 |
| 8:21 | | +3 | Luke Kennard makes three point jump shot (David Roddy assists) | 44-38 |
| 8:03 | | Bogdan Bogdanovic misses three point jump shot | ||
| 7:59 | | Luke Kennard defensive rebound | ||
| 7:54 | | Luke Kennard misses three point running pullup jump shot | ||
| 7:51 | | Saddiq Bey defensive rebound | ||
| 7:37 | | +2 | Dejounte Murray makes two point pullup jump shot (Saddiq Bey assists) | 44-40 |
| 7:18 | | +3 | Tyus Jones makes three point jump shot (Desmond Bane assists) | 47-40 |
| 7:08 | | Saddiq Bey misses three point jump shot | ||
| 7:06 | | Onyeka Okongwu offensive rebound | ||
| 7:05 | | +2 | Onyeka Okongwu makes two point tip layup | 47-42 |
| 6:49 | | Onyeka Okongwu shooting foul (Xavier Tillman draws the foul) | ||
| 6:49 | | Hawks 60 second timeout | ||
| 6:49 | | Xavier Tillman misses regular free throw 1 of 2 | ||
| 6:49 | | Grizzlies offensive rebound | ||
| 6:49 | | +1 | Xavier Tillman makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 48-42 |
| 6:34 | | +2 | Trae Young makes two point driving floating jump shot | 48-44 |
| 6:27 | | Jaren Jackson Jr. misses three point running jump shot | ||
| 6:23 | | John Collins defensive rebound | ||
| 6:11 | | John Collins turnover (bad pass) (Xavier Tillman steals) | ||
| 6:06 | | Tyus Jones misses three point running jump shot | ||
| 6:01 | | John Collins defensive rebound | ||
| 5:47 | | Dillon Brooks shooting foul (Trae Young draws the foul) | ||
| 5:47 | | +1 | Trae Young makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 48-45 |
| 5:47 | | +1 | Trae Young makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 48-46 |
| 5:32 | | +2 | Jaren Jackson Jr. makes two point alley-oop dunk (Ja Morant assists) | 50-46 |
| 5:19 | | Trae Young turnover (bad pass) (Jaren Jackson Jr. steals) | ||
| 5:15 | | Luke Kennard misses three point running pullup jump shot | ||
| 5:12 | | Luke Kennard offensive rebound | ||
| 5:07 | | Clint Capela blocks Jaren Jackson Jr.'s two point driving layup | ||
| 5:04 | | Trae Young defensive rebound | ||
| 5:01 | | Dejounte Murray misses two point turnaround jump shot | ||
| 5:00 | | Clint Capela offensive rebound | ||
| 4:59 | | +2 | Clint Capela makes two point tip layup | 50-48 |
| 4:40 | | +2 | Ja Morant makes two point driving layup | 52-48 |
| 4:40 | |