Desmond Bane scored 30 points and sparked a fourth-quarter turnaround, as the Memphis Grizzlies (50-29) clinched the best home record in the NBA this season with a 119-109 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers (33-46) in their home finale Tuesday at FedExForum.
Ja Morant totaled 23 points and nine assists for the Grizzlies, who finished their home slate 35-6 and posted the NBA’s best home record over the course of a season for the first time in franchise history. Memphis established new franchise records this season for home wins and home winning percentage (.854).
Memphis’ 35 home wins this season represent the most by any NBA team since the Golden State Warriors went 36-5 in 2016-17.
Luke Kennard added 20 points in his second start with the Grizzlies and made 6-of-10 from 3-point range, including five 3s during a 41-point first quarter. Jaren Jackson Jr. chipped in with 17 points and seven rebounds, while David Roddy registered 16 points off the bench for the Grizzlies, who had 30 assists.
Skylar Mays, appearing in his third game with Portland after signing a 10-day contract last week, led the Trail Blazers with a career-high 24 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Shaedon Sharpe tallied 20 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Jabari Walker netted a career-high 16 points, while Shaq Harrison had 13 points in his third game with the Trail Blazers.
Portland, which had 11 players sidelined due to injury and dressed only nine players, scored the first six points of the fourth quarter to take its largest lead of the night, 101-96, with nine minutes remaining, but Bane made three 3-pointers during a 22-2 run that allowed Memphis to surge ahead 118-103 with 1:43 left.
The Trail Blazers were held scoreless for 3:46 during the Grizzlies’ decisive run.
Memphis reached 50 wins this season, the sixth 50-win campaign in franchise history and second straight.
The Grizzlies went 19-1 at home this season against teams currently below .500 with the one win coming on Feb. 1 against Portland, which entered tonight having won its last four trips to FedExForum. Memphis won the season series, 2-1.
Memphis will close the 2022-23 regular season with a three-game road trip, beginning Wednesday, April 5, at New Orleans. Fans can tune into Bally Sports Southeast or listen on 92.9 FM ESPN.