MADRID, 27 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Memphis Grizzlies did not fail and beat the New Orleans Pelicans in overtime (115-116) to extend their streak of four consecutive wins, thanks to the outstanding Ja Morant and Desmond Bane, while the Spanish Santi Aldama, without scoring , had his worst game in a long time.
Those from Tennessee remain unstoppable, and the great state of their star Ja Morant after his harsh sanction has a lot to do with it. The Memphis point guard completed a great game at the Smoothie King Center with 31 points (12/24 in field goals), 4 rebounds and 7 assists.
Morant did not give many options to the Pelicans who had Brandon Ingram (24 points) and Zion Williamson (23 points and 11 rebounds) as their main arguments to win. However, when they were ahead, a foul by Jonas Valanciunas in the last action allowed the Grizzlies to enjoy extra time to smile even in the most tense moments.
On the contrary, Aldama played his worst game in months, although with hardly any opportunities on the court. The Canarian player was left without scoring, something that had not happened in eight months, with 0/2 in field goals, 2 rebounds and 1 block.
Jaren Jackson Jr. (19 points and 10 rebounds) made the first of two free throws to make it 103-103, but missed the second to take the game to overtime. And the final victory was also decided from 4.60, this time with Desmond Bane (27 points) as the protagonist, converting one to make it 116-112 with only four seconds left, unattainable for the locals, despite a last triple by CJ McCollum.
This fourth consecutive victory for Memphis leaves them second to last in the West, although already with another face thanks to a stellar Morant. While the Pelicans, who already lost a week ago in the return of the 'grizzlie' point guard, are seventh, with only one win in the last four games.