It was a busy eight-game slate around the Associations, and we’ve got our daily notables:
Grizzlies Top Nets as Tension Runs High in Endgame
The Memphis Grizzlies beat the Brooklyn Nets, 135-119, led by Ja Morant’s 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Memphis (18-8) gained control of the game with a 30-20 second quarter to enter halftime with a 69-56 lead. The Grizz protected this lead in a chippy second half that saw Morant and Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins get into an altercation with Nets coach Jordi Fernandez and Dennis Schroder near the end.
Jaren Jackson Jr. added 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 steals for Memphis. Dorian Finney-Smith led the Nets (10-15) with 19 points, while Schroder had 15 points and 8 assists.
(Up next: Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Lakers on December 16, Nets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers on December 17)
Pacers Hold Off Sixers as Joel Embiid Exits
The Indiana Pacers sent the Philadelphia 76ers to another loss, 121-107, on Saturday at Wells Fargo Center.
Indiana (11-15) rode on a hot first quarter and a strong fourth canto to stymie the Sixers (7-16), who played the entire second half without big man Joel Embiid. The former MVP had 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists in the first half but exited after getting elbowed in the face by Benedict Mathurin. Embiid reportedly suffered a fractured sinus.
Pascal Siakam added 23 points and 6 boards, while Obi Toppin had 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals off the bench. Tyrese Maxey paced the Sixers with 22 markers, with Kelly Oubre Jr. chipping in 12 points and 13 boards.
(Up next: Pacers vs. New Orleans Pelicans on December 16, Sixers vs. Charlotte Hornets on December 17)
Suns Topple Jazz Behind Returning Kevin Durant
A Kevin Durant return was tonic for the Phoenix Suns as they topped the Utah Jazz, 134-126, at Delta Center.
Durant had 30 points and 8 assists in his return from injury. He also had two of the Suns’ 21 triples. Devin Booker added 34 points and 8 dimes on 6-for-13 from downtown. Tyus Jones chipped in 19 points and five treys for Phoenix (13-11).
Jordan Clarkson’s 23 points and four triples paced the Jazz (5-19), who made 21 treys of their own. Lauri Markannen had 19 points on four threes, while Keyonte Green added 18 markers built on three triples.
(Up next: Suns vs. Portland Trailblazers on December 16, Jazz vs. Los Angeles Clippers on December 17)
