Memphis Grizzlies defeated the New Orleans Pelicans with a score of 113:115, and the hero was Ja Morant.
A brilliant career was predicted for the point guard, and it was supposed to be just that, but… His waving of a pistol brought him numerous penalties, and the latest of the 25-game suspension threatened to suffocate his career. Nevertheless, he managed to rise above it and return to the court. And he did it in a massive style.
New Orleans was a much better team in the first half, especially if we look at the second quarter, where they scored 39 points compared to Memphis’s 16, taking a +19 lead into halftime. However, a huge comeback followed in the second half. Morant was in exceptional form, and Memphis slowly chipped away at the host’s lead. They managed to tie the game and set up an opportunity for the game-winning play. After a drive in the last second, Ja Morant hit the shot, showcasing how much he means to the Grizzlies.
Morant was the top scorer for his team, scoring 34 points with eight assists. Jaren Jackson Jr. added 24 points. On the other side, Brandon Ingram was the top scorer with 34 points.
With this victory, Memphis ended a five-game losing streak and now stands at 7-19, while New Orleans suffered their first loss in the last five games, bringing their record to 16-12.
Damian Lillard didn’t allow any surprises as he led the Milwaukee Bucks to a victory over the San Antonio Spurs with a score of 132:119.
The Bucks had an excellent start to the game on their home court. In the first quarter, they played at their maximum, establishing an 18-point lead, primarily thanks to outstanding team basketball. The ball circulated phenomenally in the offensive end, and Lillard benefited the most from it. His three-pointers brought the mentioned advantage, securing a comfortable lead for the Bucks.
San Antonio attempted a comeback in the second half, but all they could manage was to reduce the deficit to -10, and the home team immediately had a response. In the end, there was a 13-point difference on the scoreboard, and Milwaukee notched their 20th victory, maintaining their position at the second spot in the NBA Eastern Conference. On the other hand, December continues to be a nightmare for San Antonio, as they have recorded seven losses and only one win this month.
Lillard led the home team with 40 points, while Giannis Antetokounmpo contributed 11 points along with an impressive 14 rebounds and 16 assists (a career record). On the opposing side, Keldon Johnson scored 28 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.