NBA Daily Roundup: Morant, Bane Outduel Durant and Irving at Memphis
Here’s a quick recap of Monday’s 2022-23 NBA season games, including the exhilarating scoring display in the Memphis-Brooklyn contest.
Grizzlies Outshoot Nets in High-Scoring Affair
In a high-scoring duel that pitted stars against stars, the Memphis Grizzlies carved a 134-124 win over the Brooklyn Nets. Ja Morant and Desmond Bane combined for 76 points and 14 assists, outscoring the Nets’ duo of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, who had 37 points apiece. Santi Aldama (17) and Brandon Clarke (13) are the other Memphis players who contributed double digits in the scoring column.
It was an exhilarating offensive display right from the get-go, with the Grizzlies taking a 39-34 lead after the opening quarter. The Nets fought back in the second period, tightening up their defense to hold the Grizzlies to only 25 markers. Entering the second half facing a five-point deficit, Memphis raced to a 45-point third quarter, behind an 18-point quarter from Bane. It was definitely a bounce-back performance from Bane, who only averaged 14.7 points on a lowly 26.5% shooting in the first three games.
Nic Claxton contributed 16 points and 7 boards for the Nets, while Ben Simmons had seven points and eight assists before fouling out with a little below four minutes left in the final period.
Bulls Hand Celtics Their First Loss
Facing a huge 19-point deficit in the early goings of the first half, the Chicago Bulls mounted an incredible comeback that saw them hack out a 120-102 victory over the Boston Celtics. DeMar DeRozan led the charge for the Bulls with his 25 markers, while second-year guard Ayo Dosunmu (22 points) had another good outing.
The Bulls’ defense struggled early on, as they gave up 39 points to the Celtics in the opening period. But Dosunmu was the spark that Chicago needed, leading the team’s comeback trail that saw them outscore the Celtics, 70-40, in the next two quarters.
Jayson Tatum topscored for the Celtics with his 26 points, and Jaylen Brown produced 21. With the loss, Boston now holds a 3-1 slate to start the season.
Other NBA Results Today:
Toronto Raptors beat the Miami Heat, 98-90
Indiana Pacers lost to the Philadelphia 76ers, 120-106
Orlando Magic lost to the New York Knicks, 115-102
Utah Jazz lost to the Houston Rockets, 114-108
San Antonio Spurs defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves, 115-106
Denver Nuggets lost to the Portland Trail Blazers, 135-110