Home Basketball Ja Morant shines and leads the Grizzlies’ comeback against the Pelicans with a score of 115-113

Ja Morant shines and leads the Grizzlies’ comeback against the Pelicans with a score of 115-113

Basketball — 12/20/2023

Memphis star served 25-game suspension and returned in style against New Orleans.

Tuesday (19) was full of excitement in New Orleans. After serving a 25-game suspension in the NBA, Ja Morant returned to the Memphis Grizzlies to lead the team to a 115-113 victory over the Pelicans.

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) looks to pass against New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) and forward Herbert Jones (5) during the first quarter at the Smoothie King Center on Dec. 19, 2023 in New Orleans.

The first quarter was uninspired for both sides. The teams showed low performance in field goals, ending with a low score. Because he committed two fouls quickly, Zion Williamson spent practically the entire time on the bench.

The second quarter seemed to shape the outcome of the match. The home team dominated and scored 39 points, compared to just 16 from the visitors, who showed even lower efficiency in attack and worsened in defense.

New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) gestures after a three point basket in front of Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins and guard Ja Morant, center, during the second quarter at the Smoothie King Center on Dec. 19, 2023 in New Orleans.

The Grizzlies came back better after the break, finally managing to score. Thus, they reduced the difference on the scoreboard, which was around 10 points, and returned to the game. The Pelicans continued to take advantage of offensive rebounds to score.

Memphis started the last quarter pressing, and closed the gap on the scoreboard. In the final stretch of the match, they were losing by just one point until they tied. Brandon Ingram and Ja Morant had a private duel on the court to see which team would emerge victorious. CJ McCollum had two great opportunities to end the match, but he wasted his three shots. In the final seconds, the star who returned to the court scored the layup to guarantee the triumph

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) shoots against New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) and center Jonas Valanciunas (17) during the first quarter at the Smoothie King Center on Dec. 19, 2023 in New Orleans.

In his first game of the season due to a firearms controversy, Ja Morant scored 34 points, eight assists and six rebounds. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane combined for 45 points. On the home side, Ingram had 34 points, six assists and four rebounds, with Jonas Valanciunas contributing 22 points and 14 rebounds.

The Pelicans are in 7th place in the NBA Western Conference, with a record of 16-12. The team’s next appointment will be this Thursday (21), at 9:30 pm, when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers.

 

In 13th place, at 7-19, the Grizzlies may have gained the momentum they needed to bounce back this season. A sprint can lead the team to the play-in. To do this, they need to start a sequence of triumphs, starting with tomorrow’s home match, at 10pm, against the Indiana Pacers.