Scoreboard
Nuggets 85, Clippers 87
Thunder 118, Wizards 122
Suns 99, Raptors 95
Pistons 87, Bulls 133
Warriors 108, Grizzlies 116
Timberwolves 125, Pelicans 128
What went down
Ten straight wins. The longest in franchise history.
It’s been that kind of a stretch for the Memphis Grizzlies as their winning ways reached double figures with a 116-108 victory over the Golden State Warriors. Despite Klay Thompson’s return refueling the Warriors, Ja Morant and company simply refused to let anyone get in their way. Their steadiness in the clutch helped preserve one of their most impressive victories of the season.
Morant was his usual electric self, tallying a game-high 29 points to go along with five rebounds and eight assists. When the Warriors threatened down the stretch to steal the game, it was the third-year guard that closed the game for Memphis, scoring five points in the final minute of the game.
Morant got ample support from Tyus Jones who went a perfect 5-of-5 from beyond the arc. Rookie Ziaire Williams was also impressive with 17 points, while Jaren Jackson Jr. had his second straight double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds.
On the other side, Steph Curry registered a triple-double of 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists while Thompson tallied 14 points, three rebounds, and three assists. The Warriors badly missed Draymond Green, who remains out because of a calf injury.
Though the Grizzlies are short on mainstream stars aside from Morant, the squad has proven that just like the Warriors, they also find their strength in numbers. With the win, Memphis climbed to fourth place in the Western Conference with a 29-14 record. Golden State remains in second despite the loss with a 30-10 record.
Big-time baller
Don’t look now, but here come the New Orleans Pelicans.
Behind a torrid shooting performance from Brandon Ingram, the Pelicans were able to snatch a thrilling 128-125 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Ingram scored 33 points, highlighted by 6-of-7 3-pointers. More on B.I’s heroics later.
Did you see that?
This day had a lot of great basketball, but there were some humorous moments sprinkled as well. Case in point: Devin Booker tattling on the Toronto Raptors mascot for distracting him late in the game when he was shooting clutch free throws.
Check out how Booker had the referees send the poor mascot to the timeout chair. Booker made the free throws and the Suns got the win. Let’s hope the mascot will be let out of detention soon.
Devin Booker upset that the Raptors mascot, the only fan in the building, is behind the hoop distracting him with the game on the line. Refs send him to timeout in the corner. pic.twitter.com/F9zLGPPD5D
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) January 12, 2022
For the second highlight of the day, we go back to the Bayou. Ingram’s C-L-U-T-C-H triple iced the game for the Pelicans, leaving a dejected Timberwolves team wondering what could have been.
Another look at Brandon Ingram's (@B_Ingram13) game-winning three pointer for the @PelicansNBA! pic.twitter.com/2IExAexBvA
— NBA (@NBA) January 12, 2022
