Alex Sarr, Wizards solve Grizzles again
Alex Sarr had 20 points, nine rebounds and a career-high six blocks and CJ McCollum added 16 points to lead the Washington Wizards to a 116-112 victory Sunday over the visiting Memphis Grizzlies.
The Wizards rallied from a 10-point late third-quarter deficit to defeat the Grizzlies for the second time in nine days and post their first consecutive victories this season. Memphis, which had a two-game win streak snapped, failed to reach .500 with the loss.
The Wizards also got 14 points apiece from Tre Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly and Marvin Bagley III. Justin Champagnie added 10 points and 12 rebounds and Bub Carrington contributed 12 points and seven assists. Washington made 24 of 25 free-throw attempts.
Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with a season-high-tying 31 points along with eight rebounds and four blocks. Ja Morant finished with 21 points and seven assists, and Santi Aldama had 14 points, 10 boards and five steals.
Washington recovered from its 10-point deficit by piecing together a 19-3 run that bridged the third and fourth quarters. A Bagley layup ended the run and gave the Wizards a 97-91 advantage.
The Wizards never trailed again, although the Grizzlies cut the margin to a point, 108-107, with 2:52 left on Aldama's 3-pointer. Morant's 3-pointer with 6.3 seconds left cut the Washington lead to 114-112, but Khris Middleton sealed the win with two free throws with 4.7 seconds to go.
Washington started to pull away in the third quarter and led 78-69 with 7:02 to go. But then the team broke down.
The Wizards failed to make a field goal in the final seven minutes of the quarter. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies put together a 19-0 run to lead 88-78 with 1:55 left. Cam Spencer capped the run with a fast-break layup.
Washington beat Memphis 130-122 on Dec. 20 in Memphis, getting 28 points apiece from McCollum and Kyshawn George. The Wizards recovered from a 20-point deficit in that game. George was not available on Sunday because of a hip injury.
An already injury-riddled Memphis team played the second half without reserve Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. He played 11 minutes in the first half and scored four points but suffered a hamstring injury and did not return.