By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 22:27 EST, 7 March 2025 | Updated: 22:36 EST, 7 March 2025
DALLAS (AP) - Ja Morant scored 31 points, including the game´s final seven, and Desmond Bane had 27 points and a career-high 16 rebounds as the Memphis Grizzlies rallied in the fourth quarter to beat the Dallas Mavericks 122-111 on Friday night.
Reserve Brandon Williams scored a career-high 31 points and Naji Marshall had career bests with 29 points and 17 rebounds for the Mavericks, who have lost four consecutive games and six of their last seven.
The Grizzlies finished on an 18-4 run to snap a season-long four-game losing streak. They played their second straight game without leading scorer Jaren Jackson, Jr., who´s considered week-to-week after injuring his left ankle Monday.
After Williams´ free throw pulled Dallas within 115-111 with 2:06 left, Morant had a layup with 1:35 left, a jumper with a minute to play and a pullup 3-pointer with 30 seconds left.
The Mavericks, playing their second game since losing Kyrie Irving to a season-ending knee injury, made only one field goal in the final seven minutes.
Grizzlies: They´re fourth in the West with a one-game lead over Houston. Morant opened 1 of 8 in the first quarter and scored 24 points in the second half.
Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins gestures from a sideline during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Friday, March 7, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Mavericks: In 10th place in the West, they´re at .500 for the first time since being 7-7 on Nov. 17. Caleb Martin made his Mavericks debut and had two points, four rebounds and three assists. Olivier-Maxence Prosper has been lost for the remainder of the season with a wrist injury.
When Memphis held the 115-111 lead, Morant rebounded Klay Thompson´s missed 3-pointer to begin his final scoring run.
The taller Grizzlies outscored the Mavericks 74-38 in the paint. Ten of Zach Edey´s 13 rebounds were offensive.
The Mavericks will host Phoenix on Sunday. The Grizzlies will play at New Orleans that night.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) dribbles the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Friday, March 7, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dallas Mavericks guard Brandon Williams (10) reacts to scoring during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies in Dallas, Friday, March 7, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey, right, and Dallas Mavericks forward Kessler Edwards, left, reach for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Friday, March 7, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Injured Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis, left, questions a call by referee Marat Kogut, right, during a timeout in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies in Dallas, Friday, March 7, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke (15) blocks a shot against Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Friday, March 7, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells (0) shoots against Dallas Mavericks guard Brandon Williams (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Friday, March 7, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) moves the ball against Dallas Mavericks guard Dante Exum during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Friday, March 7, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) drives against Dallas Mavericks guard Max Christie (00) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Friday, March 7, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Musician and songwriter Abraham Alexander looks on from the sidelines during the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Friday, March 7, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)