The Memphis Grizzlies (32-19) fell to the Portland Trail Blazers (25-26) 122-112 Wednesday at FedExForum, ending the team’s season-high eight-game home winning streak.
Damian Lillard recorded 42 points and 10 assists, and Anfernee Simons added 26 points for Portland, which outscored Memphis 38-22 in the fourth quarter to earn its fourth win in the last five games and end its eight-game road losing streak.
Jerami Grant scored 18 points in the first half but departed at halftime to be evaluated for a concussion and did not return. Two other members of the Trail Blazers’ starting lineup, Jusuf Nurkic and Josh Hart, also did not finish the game due to injury.
Ja Morant had 32 points, nine rebounds and 12 assists for the Grizzlies, falling one rebound short of notching his third consecutive triple-double. Jaren Jackson Jr. registered 18 points and six blocks, and Desmond Bane chipped in with 17 points.
Lillard, who had just four points in the first quarter, netted 12 in the second quarter, 17 in the third and nine in the fourth to lead the Trail Blazers back from a 12-point deficit to post their 12th double-digit comeback of the season. Simons scored 14 of his 26 in the final frame.
With the teams tied at 109 with 2:12 remaining, Portland used an 8-0 run, capped by Drew Eubanks’ three-point play that came on a fast break dunk, to take a 117-109 advantage. The Trail Blazers converted five of their six free throws in the final minute to hold on for the win.
Danny Green made his Grizzlies debut after missing the first 50 games of the regular season recovering from offseason left knee surgery. Green tallied three points, four rebounds and one steal in 10 minutes.
The Grizzlies will complete their back-to-back tomorrow, Feb. 2, with a road matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Fans can tune in on Bally Sports Southeast or listen on 92.9 FM ESPN.