Desmond Bane scored a season-high 37 points, but the Memphis Grizzlies (1-8) could not complete a fourth-quarter rally against the Utah Jazz (3-7) and lost 127-121 Friday at FedExForum, falling to 0-2 in the NBA In-Season Tournament.
Bane, who shot 7-of-13 from 3-point range and finished one point shy of his career high, posted his fifth 30-point performance of the season. Bismack Biyombo finished withseason highs of 15 points and 15 rebounds for his first double-double of the season. Jacob Gilyard posted 14 points and eight assists in his first NBA start.
Lauri Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson each scored 26 points for the Jazz, while John Collins added 18 points and Ochai Agbaji contributed 15 points to help the Jazz snap a four-game losing streak in their In-Season Tournament opener as they improve to 1-0 in West Group A play.
Memphis cut into Utah’s 21-point lead with a 24-4 run and eventually tied the game at 114 with 6:04 remaining in the fourth quarter. However, Utah would later score five straight to pull ahead 125-119 with 1:03 left. The Jazz had three blocks and one steal in the final six minutes.
Clarkson was able to help hold off Memphis with a tip-in and a 3-pointer in the final two minutes.
The Grizzlies will start their two-game stop in Los Angeles with a matchup against the Clippers at 2:30 p.m. CT on Sunday, Nov. 12, at Crypto.com Arena. The game will be broadcast on Bally Sports Southeast and 92.9 FM ESPN.