Dalano Banton and Jabari Walker scored 19 points apiece and Duop Reath added 18 as the visiting Portland Trail Blazers snapped their nine-game losing streak, beating the Memphis Grizzlies 122-92 on Friday.
Kris Murray scored 14 points for Portland, which led by as many as 33 late in the game. Matisse Thybulle had 13 points and Jerami Grant 10. The Trail Blazers had not won since Jan. 31 against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Jake LaRavia led Memphis with a career-high 21 points, while Lamar Stevens scored 19, GG Jackson added 11 and Jordan Goodwin chipped in 10. The Grizzlies have lost four straight and 13 of their last 15.
The injury-plagued teams will meet again on Saturday in Memphis on the second night of a back-to-back.
Portland was missing Scoot Henderson (left adductor sprain), Malcolm Brogdon (right elbow tendinitis), Shaedon Sharpe (lower abdominal surgery), Robert Williams III (right knee surgery), and Deandre Ayton (right hand sprain).
Memphis’ extensive injury list included Jaren Jackson Jr. (right quad tendon soreness), Derrick Rose (low back soreness), Ja Morant (right shoulder), Desmond Bane (left ankle sprain), Marcus Smart (right ring finger), Luke Kennard (illness) and John Konchar (left thumb sprain).
Both teams shot under 39 percent from the field during a low-scoring first quarter. Memphis took a 21-17 lead after closing the period on a 9-2 run.
Banton, who also put up his season high in points, scored midway through the second quarter to put Portland ahead 41-35, and the Blazers held a 51-45 advantage at intermission. Grant scored 10 points in the half for Portland, which led despite shooting 4 of 17 (23.5 percent) from 3-point range.
The Blazers carried the momentum into the third quarter and moved ahead 91-72 after closing the period on a 17-4 run. Portland shot 78.9 percent in the quarter and outscored Memphis 40-27.
The Blazers remained in control throughout the fourth quarter and extended their lead to 110-78 on Walker’s jumper with 6:42 remaining.
–Field Level Media