Jaren Jackson Jr. poured in 40 points and the visiting Memphis Grizzlies edged the Detroit Pistons 110-108 on Monday night.
Jackson also contributed seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks for Memphis (25-50), which had lost seven of its last eight games.
Luke Kennard had 19 points and eight assists, Brandon Clarke supplied 15 points and seven rebounds and Jake LaRavia added 12 points.
Cade Cunningham had 36 points and eight assists for Detroit (13-62), Jaden Ivey tossed in 20 points and Chimezie Metu added 17 and eight rebounds. James Wiseman put up 10 points and 10 rebounds and Tosan Evbuomwan also scored 10.
Pistons starting center Jalen Duren had a tooth dislodged in a head-to-head collision with Jackson during the first half and did not return.
Cunningham scored 12 points in the first seven minutes. After Memphis tied the score at 39-all with five minutes left in the second quarter, Cunningham scored seven consecutive points on a 3-pointer, a pullup jumper and a layup.
That began an 18-5 Pistons run to finish the half for a 57-44 lead. Cunningham already had 21 points by the break while backcourt partner Ivey added 14. Jackson led the Grizzlies with 13 points.
The Grizzlies chipped away at the Pistons’ advantage once the third quarter began. They opened the quarter with a 15-6 run, capped by Kennard’s 3-pointer.
After Cunningham converted a three-point play, the Grizzlies pulled within one via a 6-0 spurt. Ivey answered with a layup.
Memphis took the lead with 2:05 left in the quarter on two LaRavia free throws. Detroit regained the advantage on a 3-pointer by Evbuomwan. That began a 12-5 spurt to give Detroit a 90-85 lead entering the fourth.
It didn’t last long. Kennard and Clarke combined on all of the points in a 12-0 Grizzlies run, giving them a 101-94 lead.
The Pistons came back to tie it at 106-all. Jackson then made two free throws, blocked a shot from Cunningham and made a layup.
Wiseman’s dunk cut Memphis’ advantage to two points with 2:19 remaining. The teams traded empty possessions the rest of the way, including a Cunningham bank shot attempt in the final second.
–Field Level Media
