INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Ja Morant had 23 points, 10 assists and another wild dunk and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Indiana Pacers 130-112 on Saturday night, extending the NBA’s current longest winning streak to nine games.
Desmond Bain scored 25 points to lead the Grizzlies, who tied Denver for the best record in the Western Conference at 29-13.
Neither Bunn nor Morant were needed in the fourth quarter. Morant’s layup over Jaylen Smith made it 20 points with 4:20 left in the third and Memphis led by 34 in the fourth.
The game was tied in the second quarter before Memphis outscored the Pacers 27-11 to take a 68-52 halftime lead. Morant had five points and four assists in that span.
Santi Aldama added 17 points and Ziair Williams added 13 for the Grizzlies.
Reserve defender Chris Duarte scored 25 points for the Pacers. Rookie Benedict Maturin had 16 and TJ McConnell 13.
The Pacers, without two starters, have lost three straight. Indiana’s leading scorer and NBA leading scorer Tyrese Haliburton is expected to miss two weeks with a left elbow strain and left knee contusion. Center Myles Turner, who is averaging 17 points, is out with back spasms.
ADVICES
Grizzlies. Morant averaged 28.7 points during the streak. … Has won four straight on the road to improve to 11-10 in road games.
Pacers: Duarte angrily exited in the second quarter with a sore left arm and knocked over a chair with his right hand. He returned midway through the third.
NEXT
Grizzlies. Hosts Phoenix on Monday.
Pacers: Visit Milwaukee on Monday.
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