NBA Game Recap - Memphis at Atlanta
Mon Mar 2, 2020 7:30 PM EST

POR
130
ORL
107
F
HOU
123
NY
125
F
UTA
126
CLE
113
F
MIL
89
MIA
105
F
MEM
127
ATL
88
F
DAL
107
CHI
109
F
IND
116
SA
111
F

Memphis 127, Atlanta 88

Mar 2, 2020, 7:30 PM EST

Final

1

2

3

4

T

Memphis

24

28

32

43

127

Atlanta

23

26

19

20

88

Dieng leads 9 scorers in double figures, Memphis routs Hawks
Mon Mar 2, 2020 10:42 PM

ATLANTA (AP) Gorgui Dieng had 17 points and 10 rebounds, leading nine Memphis scorers in double figures, and the Grizzlies pulled away in the second half for a 127-88 win over the cold-shooting Atlanta Hawks on Monday night.

Memphis, trying to protect its No. 8 spot in the Western Conference playoff field, has won two straight following five consecutive losses.

The Grizzlies missed their first 11 shots from the field against Atlanta but recovered to lead 24-23 at the end of the opening period. They led 52-49 at halftime and pulled away in the third period.

"We've got to come out from the jump, even if we aren't making shots," Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said. "They got out of the slump there. And then we just kind of found a groove."

Jenkins said poor defense contributed to the slow scoring start.

"I felt their urgency on the defensive end wasn't really there," Jenkins said.

Jonas Valanciunas had 15 points and 15 rebounds for the Grizzlies. Josh Jackson had 15 points and Ja Morant scored 13.

Atlanta suffered its third loss in its last 11 home games. The Hawks were denied their first three-game winning streak of the season. They shot a season-low 32.3% from the field, making 32 of 99 shots.

Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce opened his postgame news conference by saying, "I've got nothing to say."

Asked if there were any teachable moments in the loss, Pierce said, "I don't know what to teach. You can't teach effort."

Pierce then left the interview room.

Trae Young led Atlanta with 19 points on 5-of-17 shooting.

Morant was coming off one of his most impressive games. He had 27 points and 14 assists, matching his season high, in the Grizzlies' 105-88 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday.

Morant said he enjoyed facing Young for the first time in a matchup of young stars at point guard.

"I study his game," Morant said. "After every game I text him. I just signed a jersey for him. Said, `Next generation."'

The Hawks had a long scoring drought early in the second quarter when Memphis used a 14-0 run to lead 39-27.

Young made 3 of 11 shots from the field in the first half. He was good on each of his nine free throws, including six in the final 3 minutes before the break.

Memphis took advantage of an even longer scoring run - 15 consecutive points - to stretch the lead to 75-56 in the third period. De'Anthony Melton, who had 11 points, had a 3-pointer and a three-point play during the run.

Pierce rested his starters much of the final period. The Grizzlies also stretched their bench and still lengthened the lead.

TIP-INS

Grizzlies: Memphis signed F Anthony Tolliver, 34, to a 10-day contract about two hours before the game. Tolliver made four of five 3-pointers and had 12 points. The team waived C Jordan Bell. Jenkins said Tolliver is an "ultimate pro" who can help the team with his 3-point shooting. Tolliver, who also has had stints with Portland and Sacramento this season, was needed due to injuries to F Jaren Jackson Jr. (left knee), G Grayson Allen (left hip) and F Brandon Clarke (right quad). ... Tyus Jones had 15 points and nine rebounds.

Hawks: Bruno Fernando replaced F Cam Reddish (lower back pain) in the starting lineup. Reddish tested the back, which he hurt in Saturday's win over Portland, in pregame warm-ups. ... Kevin Huerter had 13 points. John Collins and Jeff Teague had 12 apiece.

UP NEXT

The Grizzlies continue their three-game trip when they play at Brooklyn on Wednesday night.

Hawks will play away games on back-to-back nights starting with Friday night's game at Washington. They play at Memphis on Saturday.

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Leaders

Memphis PTS +/- AST REB ST BLK
G. Dieng 17 33 1 10 1 1
J. Jackson 16 24 4 3 2 3
Atlanta PTS +/- AST REB ST BLK
T. Young 19 -19 2 1 1 1
K. Huerter 13 -23 4 5 2 1

Team Comparison

MEM ATL
Points For 127 88
Field Goals 46/92-50% 32/99-32%
Three Pointers 14/32-44% 9/35-26%
Free Throws 21/31-68% 15/16-94%
Offensive Rebounds 14 16
Defensive Rebounds 46 27
Rebounds 72 52
Blocks 8 8
Steals 12 6
Turnovers 14 17
Points Scored Off Turnovers 19 12
Points in the Paint 56 40
Fast Break Points 18 3
Personal Fouls 16 21
Technical Fouls 0 1
Flagrant Fouls 0 0
Ejections 0 0

2019-20 Reg Season - MEM Leads Series 1-0

Date Result Away Pts Ldr Home Pts Ldr
Mon Mar 2 MEM 127 @ ATL 88 G. Dieng 17 T. Young 19

Game Information

Stadium: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia
Attendance: 16,207
Game Time: 2:9