(Field Level Nedia) Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 18 of his 30 points in the first half to fuel the host Memphis Grizzlies to a 107-106 victory over the Orlando Magic on Friday.
Jackson made 13 of 30 shots from the floor and added eight rebounds for the Grizzlies, who have won three in a row and seven of their last 11 games.
Memphis’ Ziaire Williams sank 7 of 10 shots from the floor and finished with 17 points off the bench. Luke Kennard drained five 3-pointers to highlight his 15-point performance, while Santi Aldama collected 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
The Grizzlies shot 46.7 percent from the floor and 36.6 percent from 3-point range to win their second straight home game after losing 15 of their previous 18.
Orlando’s Paolo Banchero recorded 27 points and six assists and Wendell Carter Jr. added 20 points and nine rebounds. Franz Wagner scored 18 points for the Magic, who have lost seven of their last nine games.
Orlando’s Jalen Suggs sustained a bruised left knee and did not return for the second half of the game.
Jonathan Isaac blocked a shot from the interior by Jackson to keep Memphis’ lead at 107-104 with 38 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Wagner sank a pair of free throws to pull Orlando within one and a shot clock violation gave the Magic one more possession. Joe Ingles, however, wasn’t able to convert a long attempt from 3-point range just before the buzzer.
Banchero scored five straight points to trim Memphis’ lead to 99-95 with 6:32 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Grizzlies responded with four quick points before Anthony Black had a foul shot field goal and Banchero added seven points in an 8-2 run to pull the Magic within two at 105-103 with 2:54 to play.
Carter made a 3-pointer to give Orlando a 52-50 lead with 4:25 remaining in the second before Memphis went on an 18-7 run to end the quarter. John Konchar converted from beyond the arc to ignite the surge, and Vince Williams Jr. capped it with a pair of 3-pointers to push the Grizzlies lead to 68-59.
