Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 20 of his 29 points while Dallas built a big first-half lead without much help from Luka Doncic, and the Mavericks returned from a weather-induced break with a 102-92 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night.
Dallas was playing for the first time in eight days after two postponements because of a wintry weather blast in Texas. Kristaps Porzingis didn’t play after showing up on the injury report the day of the game with back stiffness.
Doncic scored 14 of his 21 points after halftime in his first game since the soon-to-be 22-year-old became the first Dallas player to be voted an All-Star starter in consecutive seasons. The Slovenian star’s franchise record of 14 consecutive games with at least 25 points ended.
Dallas Mavericks' Dorian Finney-Smith (10) works against Memphis Grizzlies' Desmond Bane, right, in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Monday, Feb. 22, 2021. (AP PhotoTony Gutierrez)
Two nights after falling behind by 31 at halftime in a 31-point loss to Phoenix, the Grizzlies were down 23 in the second quarter after scoring a season low for any quarter and trailing 26-13 after the first.
Ja Morant had 22 points and nine assists for Memphis. The NBA leaders in field goal percentage coming in shot 39% and went 6 of 31 from 3-point range (19%).
SUNS 132, TRAIL BLAZERS 100
Dallas Mavericks' Dwight Powell, top center, is fouled taking a shot by Memphis Grizzlies' Brandon Clarke, bottom center, in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Monday, Feb. 22, 2021. (AP PhotoTony Gutierrez)
Devin Booker scored 34 points, Deandre Ayton added 19 and Phoenix kept rolling with a lopsided win over Portland.
It was the largest margin of victory this season for the Suns, who have won nine of 10.
Portland has lost two straight following a six-game winning streak.
Booker had 17 points in the first quarter and 22 by halftime. He finished 12 of 17 from the field and 8 for 8 at the free throw line.
Damian Lillard led the Trail Blazers with 24 points.
BULLS 120, ROCKETS 100
Coby White scored 24 points and Chicago used a big third quarter to pull away from short-handed Houston.
Zach LaVine scored 14 of Chicago’s 46 third-quarter points, finishing with 21, and the Bulls outscored the Rockets by 20 in the period to break open a tight game.
David Nwaba had 22 points off the bench to lead Houston, which has lost eight straight. The Rockets had their previous two games postponed because of a winter storm and subsequent utility outages in the Houston area.
Wendell Carter Jr. added 18 points with 13 rebounds for the Bulls, who have won four of five.
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