Luke Kennard Delivers Season-Best 25 Points to Propel Grizzlies Past Nets, 106-102 – Sky Bulletin
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In a remarkable Monday night face-off in New York, Luke Kennard stepped up with a season-best 25 points, helping the Memphis Grizzlies halt a five-game losing streak with a 106-102 victory against the Brooklyn Nets.
Accompanied by Jake LaRavia’s double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds, the Grizzlies dominated the boards with a 51-33 advantage and amassed 25 second-chance points to compensate for their sidelined offensive players due to injury. Lamar Stevens also came through with 13 points for Memphis.
Despite the Nets achieving a season-low score in their last meeting against the Grizzlies—a comfortable 111-86 win with Kevin Ollie as interim coach—their offensive flow weakened, further burdened by a disappointing 17-for-30 (56.7%) free throw performance.
Nic Claxton, with 21 points, anchored the Nets, who were just shy of further tightening their proximity to the play-in tournament spot after back-to-back wins over Atlanta. However, key player Mikal Bridges, who excelled with 38 points previously, managed only 14 points on 4 for 14 shooting this game.
The Grizzlies forged ahead with consecutive baskets from Stevens, and a score by Kennard propelled them to a 94-88 lead. Yet, it was Kennard’s precision from the arc, netting his sixth 3-pointer, which solidified a 99-90 advantage with just three minutes left on the clock.
Kennard’s exceptional shooting night concluded with 8 for 11 from the field and 6 for 9 on 3-point attempts.
While the Nets suffered without the assistance of Cam Thomas and Ben Simmons due to injuries, the Grizzlies contended with an extensive list of absentees themselves, including prominent players like Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
Nonetheless, Memphis managed a slim halftime lead and widened the gap with a Kennard 3-pointer in the third quarter. Despite Brooklyn briefly seizing a lead with a 9-0 streak, the Grizzlies reclaimed control, ending the third quarter ahead by three.
UP NEXT
Grizzlies: Their next game is on the road against Philadelphia on Wednesday.
Nets: They will also be hosting Philadelphia, but on Tuesday.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
FAQs
Q: Who was the leading scorer for the Grizzlies against the Nets?
A: Luke Kennard was the leading scorer with a season-high 25 points.
Q: What issues did the Nets face in their loss to the Grizzlies?
A: The Nets struggled offensively and also had a poor free throw showing, making only 17 out of 30 attempts.
Q: Were there significant players absent for the Grizzlies?
A: Yes, the Grizzlies played without several key players including Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, and Marcus Smart.
Q: What is the significance of the game’s result for the Nets?
A: The loss prevented the Nets from closing the gap toward securing the final spot in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament.
Q: Where can I find more information about NBA news?
A: For more NBA news, you can visit https://apnews.com/hub/nba.
Conclusion
In an evening that saw Luke Kennard shine with an unexpected season-high performance, the Memphis Grizzlies managed to bounce back from a tough streak of losses. Despite their injury struggles, they showcased depth and resilience against the Brooklyn Nets, who themselves faltered at a critical juncture in the season. Both teams move forward with upcoming challenges as they face the same opponent—Philadelphia—in their next matchups, albeit on different nights.
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