Desmond Bane leads Grizzlies past Nets as Kyrie Irving scores 43 points

Desmond Bane scored 23 factors, together with 9 straight as Memphis rebuilt its lead within the fourth quarter, and the Grizzlies beat Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets 132-120 on Wednesday night time.

Irving scored 43 factors and Kevin Durant had 35 factors, 11 rebounds and eight assists. Nonetheless banned from enjoying dwelling video games due to a New York Metropolis vaccine mandate, Irving was on the court docket for the primary time since scoring a career-high 60 factors at Orlando eight days earlier.

However that association for Irving, who’s unvaccinated towards COVID-19, is coming to an finish. New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams is about to raise the mandate for athletes and performers.

Memphis was the short-handed dwelling workforce this time with main scorer Ja Morant sidelined due to proper knee soreness. However the Grizzlies bought sufficient offense anyway thanks to order De’Anthony Melton, who matched Bane’s 23 factors, and Dillon Brooks, who completed with 21, a part of seven Memphis gamers reaching double figures.

“Nice instance of simply staying the course,” Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins mentioned. “We’ve been saying that all through the season.”

As for the Grizzlies’ 15-2 document with out Morant, Jenkins mentioned: “Togetherness. That’s most likely the most important factor.”

The Grizzlies have gained six of seven and are second within the Western Convention. They’ve a two-game lead over the Golden State Warriors, who beat the Miami Warmth 118-104 on Wednesday night time.

In the meantime, the Nets maintained their one-game lead over Charlotte for eighth place within the Jap Convention after the Hornets misplaced 121-106 to the New York Knicks.

Early on, after a quick begin, Memphis maintained a snug lead till the Nets bought untracked within the third. Memphis squandered a double-digit lead within the second half however pulled away within the fourth quarter, outscoring Brooklyn 29-16.

‘The fourth quarter rolled round, and we adjusted our protection,” Jenkins mentioned, including: “Our defensive exercise actually set a tone going from a 42-point (third quarter for Brooklyn) to a 16-points quarter. It actually sparked our offense.”

The Grizzlies led 76-62 at halftime and by 15 factors early within the third quarter, however Brooklyn relied on Durant and Irving to chip away. Brooklyn made 16 of twenty-two pictures within the interval and led 104-103 getting into the fourth.

Durant famous that the 14 Brooklyn turnovers and 16 Memphis offensive rebounds resulting in 33 second-chance factors had been onerous to beat, even with Morant out.

“They’re enjoying with freedom realizing (Morant) is just not there so loads of guys are enjoying with a free thoughts and spirit,” Durant mentioned. “You see it’s translating into buckets.”

TIP-INS

Nets: Have misplaced 5 straight within the collection. The Grizzlies are the one workforce the Nets haven’t overwhelmed this season. … Durant had two blocks. … The Nets had 52 factors within the paint, in comparison with 48 for Memphis, which leads the NBA within the class, averaging 58.2.

Grizzlies: As for Morant’s standing, Jenkins mentioned: “He’s coping with some soreness that crept up within the final couple of days, simply offloading that.” … The win was Memphis’ fiftieth of the season, the fourth time Memphis has gained that many and the primary since 2014-15. … Bane made six 3-pointers, shifting him previous Mike Miller for essentially the most 3s by a Grizzlies participant in a season.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Irving turned 30 on Wednesday, nevertheless it was his coach who bought a present when information emerged that the star may quickly play dwelling video games.

“I might welcome that,” Steve Nash mentioned to laughter.

THE DIFFERENCE

The Grizzlies took a 40-32 lead within the first quarter. In current video games, it was Brooklyn leaping out to quick leads, making opponents play from behind. “Once you quit near 40 factors within the first quarter, and you’re feeling such as you’re enjoying from behind for many of the recreation,” Irving mentioned, “the momentum shifted on their facet. It felt like they had been doing to us what we attempt to do to different groups – which is thrashing them within the first half after which have the ability to coast.”

UP NEXT

Nets: At Miami on Saturday.

Grizzlies: Host Indiana on Thursday.