Jaren Jackson Jr. and rookie Zach Edey each posted a 21-plus double-doubles and the Memphis Grizzlies set a franchise record for points in a game with a 155-126 victory over the visiting Toronto Raptors on Thursday (Friday, December 27, Manila time).
Memphis, the NBA’s top-scoring team, won for the seventh time in nine games while sending Toronto to its ninth loss in a row.
Edey grabbed 16 rebounds while Jackson pulled down 11 boards.
Eight Grizzlies scored in double figures, including each of the starters. Desmond Bane had 19 points, Jaylen Wells had 17 and Ja Morant added 15 points and nine assists. Reserves Scotty Pippen Jr. and Luke Kennard also had 15 points, and Brandon Clarke contributed 11.
Toronto, which fell to 1-14 on the road, was led by RJ Barrett, who finished with 27 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds. Scottie Barnes added 26 points and eight assists for the Raptors, who were outrebounded 63-40.
Ahead by eight at the half, the Grizzlies quickly built a double-digit lead that grew to 22 late in the quarter. Memphis led 121-100 at the end of the third.
Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic, a former Memphis assistant, was ejected with 10:29 to go in the fourth quarter. He had to be restrained by several Raptors assistants from going after the officials.
Following Rajakovic’s departure, the Grizzlies eventually extended their lead to 32.
The Grizzlies rushed out to a 19-point lead midway through the first quarter but couldn’t sustain the momentum. Toronto eventually rallied to tie the game twice late in the second quarter before trailing 78-70 at the break.
While Memphis scored a season-high-tying 43 first-quarter points, it seemed to be affected by the loss of Santi Aldama. The key reserve injured his left ankle on a non-contact play with 3:43 remaining in the first quarter, hobbled under his own power to the locker room and did not return.
With Aldama out, the Raptors outscored the Grizzlies 50-43 over the remainder of the half.
The Raptors stayed close behind with 53.8 percent shooting in the first half, including 60.9 percent in the opening quarter. Memphis shot 53.7 percent before the break.
Overall on the night, the Grizzlies outshot the Raptors 53.2 percent to 45.4 percent. – Rappler.com
