Field Level Media
Jan 18, 2021
Grayson Allen hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:06 remaining and added four clinching free throws in the final seconds Monday afternoon as the Memphis Grizzlies outlasted the visiting Phoenix Suns 108-104 in a nationally televised Martin Luther King Jr. Day showcase game.
Allen finished with 16 points, while Ja Morant recorded a 17-point, 10-assist double-double for the Grizzlies, who won their fifth straight.
Deandre Ayton had 18 points and 16 rebounds -- both game-highs -- for the Suns, who were playing for the first time in a week after having a three-game homestand postponed because of COVID-19 issues.
After a hoop by Devin Booker gave Phoenix a one-point lead with 5:02 remaining, a 3-pointer by Cameron Payne and two-pointer by Mikal Bridges extended the margin to 96-90 with 4:14 left.
But the Grizzlies rallied, eventually drawing even at 98 apiece on a floater by Tyus Jones with 1:42 to go.
After Booker misfired on a 3-pointer, Allen connected on his 24-footer to give Memphis the lead for good.
Brandon Clarke had 17 points to tie Morant for team-high scoring honors for the Grizzlies, who won their third straight at home after having lost their first five.
Xavier Tillman (12 points), Jones (11), Desmond Bane (10) and Kyle Anderson (10 points, team-high eight rebounds) also scored in double figures in a balanced Memphis attack.
The Grizzlies outshot Suns 49.4 percent to 45.5.
Bridges finished with 17 points and Chris Paul 16 to go with a team-high seven assists for the Suns, who hadn't played since a loss at Washington on Jan. 11.
Booker added 12 points and Cameron Johnson 10 for Phoenix, which outscored Memphis 45-33 on 3-pointers.
--Field Level Media