MORANT LAYS IN WINNER WITH 0.5 LEFT ON CLOCK
Ja Morant scored 33 points, including a layup with 0.5 seconds to play that gave the Memphis Grizzlies a 114113 victory over the host Phoenix Suns on Monday night.
Morant’s basket came after Devin Booker’s 3-pointer with 5 seconds to play gave the Suns their first lead since early in the game. After a timeout, Morant drove the left side of the lane and banked it in. Phoenix’s final shot from the corner was off the mark.
Desmond Bane scored 32 points, 19 in the first half when Memphis built a 60-48 lead. Steven Adams had 13 points and 16 rebounds as the Grizzlies dominated the boards, 50-35.
Booker led the Suns with 30 points. Deandre Ayton and Jae Crowder, as well as coach Monty Williams, were placed in the COVID-19 protocols. The Suns lost their second straight at home following the Christmas defeat to Golden State. The Suns had won 15 in a row in Phoenix after losing their first two of the season at home.
Bane scored 28 on Sunday night in the Grizzlies’ victory in Sacramento.
Cameron Johnson scored 19 for the Suns. Jalen Smith had 15 points and nine rebounds. Cam Payne also scored 15 and Chris Paul had 13 points and 13 assists.
The Suns, who trailed by as many as 18, got within 112110 on Mikal Bridges’ basket with 32 seconds left. After a shot-clock violation, the Suns got the ball back with 8 seconds to go and Booker made his shot from the top of the key, but left Morant and Memphis enough time to take the lead again.
Jazz 110, Spurs 104: Jordan Clarkson scored 23 points, Rudy Gobert had 16 points and 13 rebounds, and visiting Utah beat San Antonio for its fourth straight victory. Bojan Bogdanovic had 19 points and Joe Ingles added 17 for Utah, which has won 12 of 14.
The Jazz were without injured guard Donovan Mitchell (back). Spurs point guard Dejounte Murray missed his second straight game while in the league’s health and safety protocols.
Nets 124, Clippers 108: James Harden had 39 points, 15 assists and eight rebounds as visiting Brooklyn scored 71 in first half and cruised. Marcus Morris Sr. led the Clippers with 24 points.
Bulls 130, Hawks 118: DeMar DeRozan scored 35 points, Zach LaVine added 30 and visiting Chicago won its fourth straight game, beating Atlanta. Cam Reddish finished with 33 points and Trae Young, cleared from health and safety protocols about 90 minutes before tipoff, returned to the starting lineup and scored 29 for Atlanta.
Timberwolves 108, Celtics 103: Jaylen Nowell scored 29 points and Nathan Knight added 20 points and 11 rebounds, leading host Minnesota over Boston. The Wolves were playing without all five of their regular starters due to COVID-19 protocols.
Mavericks 132, Trail Blazers 117: Kristaps Porzingis scored 34 points and Dwight Powell added 22 as visiting Dallas defeated Portland. Damian Lillard led the Trail Blazers with 26.
Hornets 123, Rockets 99: Terry Rozier scored 27 points and made seven 3-pointers, and Charlotte routed visiting Houston for its second straight win. Kelly Oubre chipped in with 18 points, while LaMelo Ball and Jalen McDaniels had 16.