SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Jaren Jackson Jr.’s inconsistency hasmirrored that of the Memphis Grizzlies.
Jackson put together his best all-around performance Mondaynight and it resulted in Memphis’ most satisfying victory and first road win.
Jackson had 24 points and the Grizzlies put a damper on TonyParker’s jersey retirement by beating the San Antonio Spurs 113-109 Mondaynight.
After averaging 44 points and committing 14 fouls in hisprevious four games, Jackson had six rebounds, five assists, one block and justtwo personal fouls in 38 minutes against the Spurs.
“He’s getting comfortable, his confidence isback,” Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant said. “He’s just playing withthat bop, not thinking too much. We’re going to tell him to just hoop.”
Jackson was involved in two pivotal plays with the Grizzliesup 111-109 in the final minute. His 3-pointer with 25.5 seconds was overturnedwhen replays determined the Grizzlies forward was out of bounds. Jackson thenblocked DeMar DeRozan’s ensuing drive to maintain Memphis’ two-point advantage.
Memphis won a coach’s challenge that overturned a foul thatwould have put DeRozan on the line with San Antonio trailing 113-109.
Dillon Brooks had 21 points and Jonas Valanciunas added 18points and 12 rebounds for Memphis, which had lost two straight and five ofsix.
“I’m proud of them,” Grizzlies coach TaylorJenkins said. “We’ve tried to address the last couple of days that’s notour standard. How we’ve got to compete the right way, play together the rightway and this is what we’re capable of.”
San Antonio needed a fevered comeback to overcome anothersluggish performance on the heels of a 135-115 loss to the Boston Celtics onSaturday.
It was a strange performance given the circumstances.
Parker’s uniform was lifted to the rafters alongside fellowBig Three members Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili following the game. That groupled San Antonio to four of its five championships and have the most wins (541)of any trio in league history.
That success seems like a distant memory as the Spurs (5-5)suffered their second straight loss and fourth defeat in five games.
The sold-out crowd came in buzzing, but the Spurs didn’tgive them much to cheer for. San Antonio shot 33 percent in falling behind35-22 in the first quarter.
“We’ve got to show some type of urgency,understanding,” DeRozan said. “We can’t wait until late in the gameto try to make something happen, try to make a defensive play. We’ve got to beconsistent from the beginning of the game.”
LaMarcus Aldridge had 19 points, Rudy Gay added 18 andDeRozan had 12 for San Antonio.
Memphis took advantage, attacking the basket continually inbuilding a 16-point lead in the first half behind 22 points in the paint and51% shooting.
WELCOME HOME
The Spurs welcomed back former players Ginobili, Boris Diaw,Michael Finley, Ian Mahinmi and former assistants Mike Budenholzer, Ime Udokaand James Borrego for Parker’s jersey retirement along with Parker’s formerFrance National Team members Nicolas Batum and Ronny Turiaf.
A few bats crashed the party, buzzing the court minutesprior to and during Parker’s retirement ceremony. Two stadium workers attemptedto corral them with nets but the crowd chanted, “Manu” in hopesGinobili would repeat his 2017 performance when he swatted one down. Ginobilirolled up his sleeves and feigned getting up but instead laughed and remainedseated as the bats flew up to the rafters.
TIP-INS
Grizzlies: Former Spurs forward Kyle Anderson had threepoints, three rebounds and two assists in 18 minutes off the bench. … Memphisis 39-8 against the Spurs in San Antonio.
Spurs: Derrick White continued to ride a stationary bike tostay loose when he wasn’t in the game. White is still feeling the effects ofhard fall on his backside against the Lakers on Nov. 3. … In addition totheir Big Three, the Spurs have retired the jerseys of James Silas, GeorgeGervin, Johnny Moore, David Robinson, Sean Elliott, Avery Johnson and BruceBowen.
UP NEXT
Grizzles: At Charlotte on Wednesday night.
Spurs: At Minnesota on Wednesday night.
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