By the Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — Jae Crowder scored 27 points and the Memphis Grizzlies took advantage of Los Angeles star Paul George’s absence to rout the Clippers 140-114 on Saturday.
Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant (12) dunks against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Jaren Jackson Jr. added 24 points, and Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks had 22 points each to help Memphis improve to 7-10 on the road with its highest scoring game of the season.
“We controlled the tempo and got off to a big first quarter and scored 40 points,” said Crowder. “We’ve had big leads this year and lost them, so we stayed aggressive and continued to contest the rim.”
Montrezl Harrell led the Clippers with 28 points, and Kawhi Leonard and Lou Williams added 24 points each. The team appeared out of sorts from the start without George. He sat out with left hamstring tightness and Los Angeles clearly missed his defense.
The usually stoic Leonard complained to the referees, who hit him with a technical after the halftime buzzer. Coach Doc Rivers stayed on court discussing it and was unhappy about other calls in the game.
Giannis extends Bucks streak
MILWAUKEE — Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 19 of his 32 points in the third quarter to help NBA-leading Milwaukee beat San Antonio 127-118.
The Bucks improved to 32-5 with their fifth straight victory since a Christmas Day loss in Philadelphia. Eric Bledsoe added 21 points.
Khris Middleton scored 20 points for the Bucks and backup center Robin Lopez had 14 points in 19 minutes.
DeMar DeRozan led the Spurs with 26 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 16 — all the first half.
Luka’s triple-double goes to naught
DALLAS — Terry Rozier scored 29 points, including the go-ahead 3-pointer in overtime after his tying basket in regulation, and the Charlotte Hornets beat the Dallas Mavericks 123-120.
Devonte Graham had 27 points and 13 assists as the Hornets won their second straight after a season-worst six-game losing streak.
Luka Doncic set a Dallas season record with his NBA-leading 10th triple-double, scoring 39 points with 12 rebounds and 10 assists.
But the 2019 Rookie of the Year had a turnover and two missed 3s late in regulation after the Mavericks had turned a 20-point first-half deficit into a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter.
Vince Carter makes history
ATLANTA — Trae Young scored 30 of his 41 points in the first half, Kevin Huerter added a season-high 26 points and the Atlanta Hawks recovered after blowing a 22-point lead to beat the Indiana Pacers 116-111.
Young and Huerter combined to make nine 3-point shots. The Hawks, who have the NBA’s worst record, improved to only 4-12 in home games on the night Vince Carter became the first player in NBA history to play in four decades.
Carter, who did not play in Atlanta’s loss at Boston Friday night, entered the game in the first quarter. Carter was a rookie with Toronto in the 1998-99 season.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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