Bane's 31 points, late free throws lead Grizzlies over Magic
Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley stands on the court during a timeout in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in Memphis, Tenn. Credit: AP/Brandon Dill
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Desmond Bane scored 31 points and made 8 of 10 free throws down the stretch as the Memphis Grizzlies held off the Orlando Magic 113-108 on Tuesday night.
Bane's free throws thwarted a last-minute rush by the Magic, led by Franz Wagner, who ended up with 25 points, including nine in the final 1:10.
Xavier Tillman had 20 points for Memphis, while Luke Kennard and Jaren Jackson Jr. finished with 16 points apiece. Jackson added 10 rebounds and three blocks.
Ja Morant, the Grizzlies' leading scorer, sat out the first night of a back-to-back with right thigh soreness.
Paolo Banchero finished with 24 points and Wendell Carter Jr. added 14 for the Magic.
Orlando, which trailed by 23 in the third quarter, got the deficit to single digits early in the final period. Then a 10-2 run pulled Orlando within 105-100 with 38 seconds left. Bane's free throws kept Memphis ahead for its seventh straight win.
Memphis led by as many as 22 in the first half, benefitting from the Magic shooting 37%. A dozen turnovers only added to the Magic troubles. Memphis would extend the lead to 23 in the third.
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in Memphis, Tenn. Credit: AP/Brandon Dill
Goga Bitadze came off the bench for 11 points in the third to cut the Memphis lead to 87-73.
TIP-INS
Magic: Entering the game, Orlando had averaged 117.2 points a game in March. If the Magic continue on that pace, it would be the highest-scoring month in franchise history, eclipsing the 116.8 points a game in November 1994. ... Banchero, who leads NBA rookies in scoring with a 19.8 average, has reached double figures in 65 games. ...Franz Wagner recorded his 500th career assist in the third quarter.
Grizzlies: Jackson's three blocks gave him 177 for the season, tying his own record for the most in franchise history. ... Kennard, who was 17 of 25 from 3 in his last three games, made all four of his 3-pointers in the first half. ...Set a franchise record for home wins with 33.
Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) dunks in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in Memphis, Tenn. Credit: AP/Brandon Dill
MORANT SITS
Morant sat for the first time since returning March 22 from his eight-game, league-imposed suspension. Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said as the team set up the playmaking guard's return to action, they were aware that Tuesday's game would be the first back-to-back he would face. The Los Angeles Clippers visit Memphis on Wednesday night. Jenkins emphasized the decision was precautionary and not anything long term.
UP NEXT
Magic: At Washington on Friday.
Grizzlies: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday in the first of two consecutive games between the teams.
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