Ja Morant scored a game-high 35 points and Jaren Jackson Jr. added 18 points, eight rebounds and six blocks to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 128-122 victory over the visiting New Orleans on Wednesday night in the season opener for both teams.
Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 27 points and nine rebounds, but had his inbounds pass with 5.6 seconds and the Pelicans trailing by four stolen. Three Pelicans — Jordan Poole, Herbert Jones and rookie Jeremiah Fears scored 17 each.
Memphis, which finished with 12 blocks, made its final six free throws in the closing 16.7 seconds. The Grizzlies overcame losing their two big men — Jackson and Jock Landale — in the fourth quarter. Londale fouled out with six minutes left and Jackson at the 2:50 mark.
Grizzlies first-round draft pick Cedric Coward finished with 14 points making each of his five field goals and four free throws.
Leading by eight entering the final quarter, the Grizzlies withstood several attempts by the Pelicans to regain the advantage. When New Orleans trimmed the Memphis lead to three (103-100) on a shot by Jones, the Grizzlies used a 6-0 run to go up 109-100 on a 3-pointer by Cam Spencer.
The Pelicans responded with an 11-2 run tying the game at 111-all on a 3-pointer by Saddiq Bey with 5:02 to go. Bey had seven points during the run.
Then Morant took over, scoring 11 points in the final 4:16, including two free throws with 1.4 seconds left. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, making his Memphis debut, was 9 of 9 from the free-throw line.
Both teams entered the opener at less than full strength. The Grizzlies were missing five key contributors, including starting center Zach Edey (ankle) and reserve guards Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe) and Ty Jerome (calf). New Orleans played without starters Kevon Looney (knee) and Dejounte Murray (Achilles).
The Pelicans raced to a 24-9 lead midway through the first quarter and never trailed in the first half. New Orleans led 67-56 at the half, getting 15 points from Poole and 11 from Williamson while taking advantage of 12 Memphis turnovers.
The Grizzlies didn’t grab their first lead of the game until 5:38 to go in the third quarter on a three-point play by Santi Aldama. Memphis used a 19-0 run midway through the third quarter to build an 87-78 advantage. Caldwell-Pope had eight points and an assist during the run.
