Marcus Smart delivered in the clutch with 18 points, including two game-sealing free throws with 2.9 seconds remaining, to lift the Memphis Grizzlies to a 115-110 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night.
Memphis extended its home winning streak to seven games, showing resilience in a tightly contested matchup that featured 20 lead changes and 11 ties.
Smart shared top-scoring honors with Desmond Bane, who added 18 points and seven assists for Memphis. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama chipped in 15 points each, with Aldama also pulling down 10 rebounds. The Grizzlies overcame 22 turnovers, which led to 29 points for Sacramento, and outlasted a Kings team that put up a spirited fight.
DeRozan Shines, But Kings Fall Short
DeMar DeRozan led all scorers with 26 points for Sacramento, while Malik Monk contributed 23 points off the bench. Domantas Sabonis recorded a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds, and De’Aaron Fox added 18 points. Despite these efforts, the Kings dropped their seventh game in their last nine outings, unable to capitalize on late-game opportunities.
Takeaways from the Game
Grizzlies: Memphis showcased its depth and determination, overcoming a night filled with miscues and the emotional blow of losing Ja Morant to ejection in the fourth quarter. Their ability to hit timely 3-pointers proved decisive, as they connected on 13 of 38 from beyond the arc compared to Sacramento’s 8 of 35.
Kings: Sacramento’s tenacity on the offensive boards kept them competitive, as they held a 16-9 edge in that department. However, they struggled from 3-point range and couldn’t seize control in the game’s final moments despite multiple opportunities.
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Key Moment
The game took a dramatic turn with 6:45 left in the fourth quarter when Ja Morant was ejected after picking up two quick technical fouls for arguing calls. At the time, the game was tied at 98, but Memphis rallied behind contributions from Smart and Jake LaRavia, who gave the Grizzlies their final lead on a key drive with 4:29 remaining.
Key Stat
Memphis improved to 11-0 this season when outshooting their opponents from 3-point range. Their ability to convert from deep was a decisive factor, as they finished with five more 3-pointers than Sacramento.
Smart’s Leadership Shines
Marcus Smart’s late-game composure highlighted his veteran presence. He not only secured the win with his clutch free throws but also provided steady leadership in a game where the Grizzlies faced adversity, including Morant’s struggles (2-for-13 shooting) and eventual ejection.
Kings Fall Short Again
The Kings’ inability to execute in crunch time continues to haunt them. Despite strong performances from DeRozan and Monk, Sacramento missed key shots and failed to capitalize on Memphis’ turnovers. Their shooting woes from long range (22.9%) ultimately proved costly.
What’s Next?
The Kings will look to rebound quickly as they visit San Antonio on Friday night, hoping to snap their slump against a struggling Spurs team. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies face a tougher test when they travel to Boston on Saturday, aiming to maintain their momentum against one of the league’s top squads.
Memphis continues to show grit and resilience, while Sacramento’s inconsistency raises questions about their ability to close out games.