Morant's triple-double helps Grizzlies build big lead and coast to 122-99 victory over Bucks

Ja Morant had 26 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds and helped nan Memphis Grizzlies build a 31-point second-half cushion and hit nan Milwaukee Bucks 122-99

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Ja Morant had 26 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds and helped nan Memphis Grizzlies build a 31-point second-half cushion and hit nan Milwaukee Bucks 122-99 connected Thursday night.

Santi Aldama added 19 points and 9 rebounds, while Scotty Pippen Jr. and Jaylen Wells vanished pinch 16 points each arsenic nan Grizzlies snapped a two-game skid. Memphis ended nan nighttime shooting 52%, including Morant going 9 for 16. Seven Grizzlies players vanished successful double figures.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led nan Bucks pinch 37 points and 11 rebounds, connecting connected 17 of 22 shots. Brook Lopez scored 12 and Bobby Portis Jr. vanished pinch 11 points.

Milwaukee has mislaid 4 straight.

Bucks: Damian Lillard continues to struggle pinch his shooting. Lillard was 1 for 12 successful nan crippled , including missing each six of his 3-pointers. Lillard is conscionable 6 for 27 connected 3s successful his past 3 games.

Grizzlies: After looking lethargic connected some ends of nan level successful a Wednesday nonaccomplishment to Brooklyn, Memphis came retired pinch overmuch much energy, shooting 51% successful nan first half and holding nan Bucks to 42%. The lead reached 31 early successful nan 4th arsenic Memphis continued to sprout amended than 50%.

Morant, who expressed immoderate vexation aft Wednesday’s nonaccomplishment to nan Nets, took complete nan crippled successful nan first half. At nan midway point, he was already connected nan verge of his 12th profession triple-double pinch 21 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds. One of those assists came connected a scramble for nan shot successful nan beforehand tribunal earlier Morant grabbed nan ball, and from nan spot of his pants, spotted Aldama for a reverse dunk.

The Bucks were 9 for 42 from 3-point range, while Memphis vanished nan nighttime astatine 52%

Bucks big Cleveland connected Saturday, while nan Grizzlies sojourn Philadelphia.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba