NBA: Jordan Clarkson, Lauri Markkanen assist Jazz prime Grizzlies

Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) drives into the lane whereas defended by Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard (10) in the course of the first half of an NBA basketball in-season match recreation Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Picture/Nikki Boertman)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Lauri Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson every scored 26 factors and the Utah Jazz held off the Memphis Grizzlies 127-121 on Friday night time within the NBA In-Season Event.

John Collins added 18 and Ochai Agbaji had 15 to assist the Jazz snap a four-game shedding streak of their match opener. George, the sixteenth total decide final summer season, began his second consecutive recreation and had 11 assists.

Desmond Bane led Memphis with 37 factors, one in need of his career-high.

An NBA-worst 1-8 and are 0-2 within the match, the Grizzlies are with out star guard Ja Morant whereas he serves a 25-game suspension to begin the season. He was penalized for a second on-line video displaying him flashing a handgun.

Jordan Clarkson and Lauri Markkanen got here up HUGE in Utah’s first In-Season Event Group Play win 🔥

Jordan Clarkson: 26 PTS, 4 REB
Lauri Markkanen: 26 PTS, 7 REB pic.twitter.com/DJgoy6D1IK

— NBA (@NBA) November 11, 2023

Bismack Biyombo added 15 factors and 14 rebounds for Memphis. Jacob Gilyard, a two-way participant beginning his first recreation, Luke Kennard and Jaren Jackson Jr. every had 14 factors every, with Jackson ejected within the third quarter.

The Grizzlies’ frustration reached the height in that third quarter. Upset over the officiating, coach Taylor Jenkins drew a technical. Then Jackson was demonstrative about his emotions, drawing two fast technicals and ejection.

By the point every part settled, Utah led 101-80.

And within the postgame, Jenkins was nonetheless upset concerning the officiating. He mentioned Jackson “is likely one of the {most professional} gamers within the league” and mustn’t have been ejected, as a result of, in Jenkins thoughts, his ahead was fouled repeatedly constructing to Jackson’s response.

Desmond Bane gave it his all in Memphis as Grizzlies fall to 0-2 in West Group A 💪

37 PTS
8 AST
7 3PM

The @memgrizz third NBA In-Season Event recreation is Tuesday, 11/14 vs. LAL on the NBA App! pic.twitter.com/19iHEjMdTJ

— NBA (@NBA) November 11, 2023

“He will get a double-technical foul, and the excuse I get is that he’s charging an official,” Jenkins mentioned in doubting the officers’ interpretation of what occurred. “Our staff is competing their (tails) off, and that is what occurs? The interplay proper now with the officers, full disrespect.

“I do know what’s coming,” he added apparently referring to a possible league nice for his criticism. “It’s unbelievable. …I don’t perceive it.”

Even with Jackson within the locker room, the Grizzlies rallied to tie it twice within the fourth, and nonetheless trailed solely 120-119 with two minutes left however have been unable to overhaul Utah, which entered the sport 0-5 on the street.

“That’s an excellent expertise,” Markkanen mentioned about holding onto the lead down the stretch. “Clearly, it wasn’t fairly. A win’s a win.”

Utah has gained three video games this season, two of them coming over Memphis. And with the group on its toes after Jackson’s ejection and screaming at officers, the ambiance was tense within the closing quarter as Memphis made its run.

“It’s an excellent studying second for our younger gamers that when the sport will get hectic, particularly on the street, and the sector will get hectic, now we have to discover a solution to preserve our composure,” Jazz coach Will Hardy mentioned. “Clearly, on the finish of the third quarter, we had 5 turnover in 3 1/2 minutes, which allowed Memphis to get again within the recreation. Down the stretch, a whole lot of guys made some massive performs.”

Memphis is 0-5 at house after going 35-6 final season.

UP NEXT

Jazz: At Portland on Tuesday night time.

Grizzlies: At Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.