NBA Basketball
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5:00 PM PT6:00 PM MT7:00 PM CT8:00 PM ET0:00 GMT8:00 5:00 PM MST7:00 PM EST4:00 UAE (+1)01:0020:00 ET6:00 PM CTNaN:� , March 28, 2023 FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee Attendance: 16,507 |
Grizzlies put 6-game win streak on line vs. Magic
Orlando Magic at Memphis Grizzlies
- Memphis is on a three-game winning streak against Orlando, scoring 123, 124 and 135 points in the three victories. Prior to their current run, the Grizzlies had scored 120 or more points against the Magic just once (December 15, 2007).
- In a 119-106 win over Brooklyn, the Magic had eight different players score 10+ points and have at least one assist. It was the second game this season that Orlando accomplished that after the team had just four such games in team history prior to 2022-23.
- Cole Anthony has scored at least 14 points in eight consecutive games despite not starting in any of them. The only longer such streaks as a reserve in team history are a 10-game streak by Terrence Ross in 2019-20 and a nine-game streak by Jerry Reynolds in 1990-91.
- The Grizzlies are on a six-game win streak and have averaged 129.2 points per game over those six wins. That is the highest scoring average the team has had over a six-game span in team history.
- Jaren Jackson Jr. had five blocks and three steals in Memphis' 123-119 win over Atlanta on Sunday. It was Jackson's 14th game this season with five or more blocks and his fifth game this season with at least three steals and three blocks, both of which lead the league.
- Including the playoffs, Memphis has scored at least 100 points in 59 consecutive home games. Over the last 30 seasons, there has been only one longer such streak by an NBA team with the Rockets having an 85-game streak that ended in 2020-21.
Ja Morant is back in the starting lineup for the Memphis Grizzlies, who carry a six-game winning streak into Tuesday's matchup against the visiting Orlando Magic.
Morant made his first start since serving an eight-game suspension in Sunday's 123-119 win over the Atlanta Hawks. The two-time All-Star played 29 minutes and scored 27 points as he continues to ramp up his conditioning.
"I'm getting there," Morant said. "I'm getting a lot more comfortable. Getting my legs under me a little bit. My staff is preparing me the right way, having me ready for games each and every night. I believe in them 100 percent in how they're managing me and ramping me back up."
Desmond Bane added 25 points in the win over Atlanta, while Jaren Jackson Jr. and Xavier Tillman each had 15 points and eight rebounds. Memphis (47-27) is second in the Western Conference with eight games remaining.
The Grizzlies have received a welcome boost from guard Luke Kennard, who was acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers on Feb. 9. Kennard matched his career high with 30 points in last Friday's win over the Houston Rockets and is quickly growing more comfortable with the team's offense.
"I was passing up some shots once I first got here, and the coaches were on me," Kennard said. "As soon as I came out of the game, they were letting me know. I was watching film with one of our guys during practices like, 'Why didn't I shoot this?' Now it's in my head as soon as I step on the floor. Any kind of space that I have, I'm going to let it go."
The Grizzlies are returning to FedEx Forum, where they have won 11 straight games and boast the NBA's best home record at 32-5. They're facing an Orlando (32-43) team that has won three straight.
Orlando is looking to avenge a 123-115 loss to Memphis on Jan. 5, when Morant and Jackson combined for 63 points.
The Magic beat the Brooklyn Nets 119-106 on Sunday. Orlando outscored Brooklyn 58-38 in the paint, and Cole Anthony had 21 points to lead eight Magic players in double figures.
"Tonight we did it by committee. That's the message that we continue to sell," Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. "Eight guys in double figures, 30 assists. Our ability to do it together is the most important thing for this group."
The Magic also welcomed back guard Jalen Suggs (16 points), who had missed the previous four games with a concussion. Suggs, who has missed 29 games this season due to injury, played 24 minutes against Brooklyn and finished 6-of-9 shooting from the floor.
"I was so eager to get back on the court," Suggs said. "I think I've missed my fair share of time now."
Anthony has recorded at least 14 points and five rebounds in eight straight games for the Magic, who are 13-24 on the road compared to 19-19 at the Amway Center.
Anthony has played a key role in Orlando's rejuvenated offense this month. The Magic are averaging 117.2 points over the last 13 games while scoring at least 110 points in 12 of those games.
--Field Level Media
Updated March 28, 2023
© 2023 by STATS PERFORM.Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS PERFORM is strictly prohibited.