JAREN Jackson Jr. drilled three fourth-quarter 3-pointers and rookie GG Jackson scored 20 points off the bench as the Memphis Grizzlies snapped a nine-game skid with a 121-113 victory over the visiting Houston Rockets on Wednesday (Thursday).
The Rockets, who suffered their sixth consecutive road loss, erased a 23-point, first-half deficit and took their first lead at 88-87 when rookie Amen Thompson made a free throw with 10:07 left to play.
But Jaren Jackson, who finished with 18 points, answered with a 3-pointer, and added another trey at the 7:37 mark to snap a 92-92 deadlock. His final 3 of the fourth capped a 9-0 burst and helped Memphis reclaim its double-digit lead at 107-97.
The short-handed Grizzlies received contributions from several role players. Luke Kennard made four 3-pointers and tallied 19 points, while Lamar Stevens and Jordan Goodwin– both recent acquisitions for Memphis– combined for 24 points off the bench.
In other games, it was the Pelicans 133, Wizards 126; Magic 118, Knicks 100
Pelicans 133, Wizards 126
Zion Williamson scored 36 points and host New Orleans held off Washington.
CJ McCollum added 26 points, Brandon Ingram scored 18, Naji Marshall and Trey Murphy III each had 13 and Jonas Valanciunas 10 for the Pelicans, who posted their third win in a row and their seventh in eight games. Williamson also contributed eight assists and six rebounds.
Deni Avdija had a career-high 43 points plus 15 rebounds, Corey Kispert scored 20, Jordan Poole put up 19, Marvin Bagley III produced 14 points and 10 rebounds and Tyus Jones had 14 points and 15 assists for the Wizards, who lost their eighth consecutive game.
Magic 118, Knicks 100
Paolo Banchero scored 13 of his game-high 36 points during a decisive second-quarter surge for host Orlando, which pulled away from undermanned New York Knicks in the final game for both teams before the All-Star break.
Banchero tied a career high by draining six 3-pointers for the Magic, who have won six of their past eight. Franz Wagner had 21 points and six assists for Orlando.
Jalen Brunson scored 20 of his 33 points in the first quarter for the injury-wracked Knicks, who lost for the fifth time in six games following a nine-game winning streak. New York is without All-Star Julius Randle (dislocated shoulder) and OG Anunoby (elbow surgery) indefinitely, while Mitchell Robinson (ankle surgery) is likely out for the rest of the regular season. — Field Level Media
