Pro Sports

Grizzlies rout Nets 118-79 in Brooklyn for 3rd straight win

Posted March 05, 2020 6:00 am

By MICHAEL SCOTTO

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) goes up for a dunk as Brooklyn Nets forward Wilson Chandler (21) and Nets guard Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (9) watch from the floor during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 4, 2020, in New York. Morant, who had 28 points in then game, missed the whot, which bounced off the rim. The Grizzlies defeated the Nets 118-79. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) - Josh Jackson scored 19 points and the Memphis Grizzlies ran away from the Brooklyn Nets during the second half of a 118-79 blowout Wednesday night in a matchup of teams trying to maintain playoff position.

Tyus Jones added 18 points for Memphis, which extended its winning streak to three games. Ja Morant scored 15.

The win moved Memphis back to .500 at 31-31, and the Grizzlies are 3ˆ½ games ahead of Sacramento for the final postseason spot in the Western Conference.

"I think it would mean a lot," Morant said about making the playoffs. "We're a whole new team. We're young. To make the playoffs again, I can't tell you the last time they made the playoffs, but for us to make it would be special."

Taurean Prince had 15 points, and Caris LeVert and Chris Chiozza added 14 apiece for Brooklyn.

Memphis opened the second half on a 12-2 run to take a 64-47 lead and never looked back as the Grizzlies built a 41-point lead in the fourth quarter, with the bench unit dancing on the sideline.

"I think collectively we didn't like our compete level and our spirit wasn't where it needed to be," Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said. "We talked about it in the locker room. The coaches and players had a good old-fashioned ... great communication. These are the moments where you really have to embrace the adversity."

Memphis took a 52-45 lead into the locker room at halftime as Jones led the Grizzlies with 10 points. LeVert led Brooklyn with 10 in the first half.

Brooklyn led 23-22 after the first quarter as both teams struggled mightily shooting from the floor.

The Nets are a half-game ahead of Orlando for the eighth seed in the East.

"I think you build through struggles like this, games like this and stretches like this, but I'll tell you this: We've got to play better if we're going to stay in this playoff hunt," Atkinson said.

TIP-INS

Grizzlies: Coach Taylor Jenkins praised LeVert's growth from afar. "He's clearly put in all the work, where he can be a dynamic scorer and another guy that sets a tone for them defensively with his size, length and athleticism, and guard multiple positions," Jenkins said. ... F Jaren Jackson Jr. is "progressing in a positive direction" and could return from a knee sprain as early as next week after being re-evaluated, Jenkins said.

Nets: Atkinson said the Nets will feature LeVert heavily on offense going forward and has encouraged him to take more 3-pointers. ... Garrett Temple (left ankle sprain) sat out.

UP NEXT

Grizzlies: Visit the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night.

Nets: Host the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night.

___

More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Brooklyn Nets center Jarrett Allen (31), Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie (26) and Brooklyn Nets forward Taurean Prince (2) watch as Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) dunks the ball during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 4, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

Memphis Grizzlies guard De'Anthony Melton (0)defends Brooklyn Nets guard Caris LeVert (22) as LeVert takes a shot during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 4, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

Brooklyn Nets center Jarrett Allen (31) goes up for a nlayup with Memphis Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas (17) defending during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 4, 2020, in New York. Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant looks on, lower left. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie, center, looks to pass with Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) and Grizzlies forward Kyle Anderson (1) defending him during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 4, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie (26) passes around Memphis Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas (17) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 4, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

Memphis Grizzlies forward Kyle Anderson (1) defends as Brooklyn Nets forward Taurean Prince (2) shoots for three points with Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins looking on, right, during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 4, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

Brooklyn Nets center Jarrett Allen (31) grabs the shooting arm of Memphis Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas (17) and fouls him during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 4, 2020, in New York. Brooklyn Nets forward Taurean Prince (2) watches from the floor, lower left. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

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