Noah has season-best night, leading Grizzlies past Pelicans

Joakim Noah had season highs of 19 points and 14 rebounds to lead the new-look Memphis Grizzlies to a 99-90 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night.

Justin Holiday had 15 points and Jaren Jackson Jr. finished with 14 points, 10 of them in the fourth. C.J. Miles, playing his first game for Memphis added 13 points to help the Grizzlies win for the third time in four games.

Julius Randle led the Pelicans with 21 points, and Jrue Holiday added 15. Anthony Davis had 14 points and 16 rebounds in his second game returning to the lineup after seeking a trade.

New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday, right front, handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr., left, and guard Avery Bradley during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP PhotoBrandon Dill)

Memphis, which used a strong third quarter to carry a 10-point lead into the fourth, saw it stretch to 11 points in the early stages of the final frame. New Orleans wasn't able to overtake the Grizzlies the rest of the way, the Pelicans seeing their two-game winning streak snapped.

With four new players in the rotation, along with more minutes for other reserves, the Memphis offense was not very fluid early. The defense struggled, too, as New Orleans shot 61 percent in the first quarter.

The Pelicans couldn't keep pace with that shooting struggling in the second quarter, allowing Memphis to pull close before the Pelicans led 44-41 at the half. At halftime, both teams were shooting below 40 percent.

Memphis Grizzlies coach J.B. Bickerstaff calls to players during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP PhotoBrandon Dill)

New Orleans ended the night at 40 percent, while Memphis shot 43 percent.

TIP-INS

Pelicans: E'Twaun Moore, who missed the previous six games with a left quad contusion, returned to action. ... Jahlil Okafor missed his second straight game with a left ankle sprain. ... Davis, who did not play in the fourth quarter of Friday's win over Minnesota after reaching 25 minutes, played 8 minutes in the final frame against Memphis.

New Orleans Pelicans center Julius Randle (30) drives against Memphis Grizzlies forward Bruno Caboclo (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP PhotoBrandon Dill)

Grizzlies: Jonas Valanciunas, acquired in Thursday's trade for Marc Gasol, did not play. ... Avery Bradley, acquired from the Clippers on Thursday, got the start in his first game with Memphis. ... Noah's previous season high in points was 13 against the Pelicans in New Orleans on Dec. 7. His previous high in rebounds was 11 at Charlotte on Feb. 1. ... Mike Conley had 11 points and nine assists.

UP NEXT

Pelican: Host Orlando on Tuesday night.

New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) shoots between Memphis Grizzlies forwards Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) and Ivan Rabb (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP PhotoBrandon Dill)

Grizzlies: Host San Antonio on Tuesday night.

More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

New Orleans Pelicans forward Darius Miller (21) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP PhotoBrandon Dill)

New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis dunks during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP PhotoBrandon Dill)

New Orleans Pelicans guard Frank Jackson (15) shoots ahead of Memphis Grizzlies center Joakim Noah (55) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP PhotoBrandon Dill)

New Orleans Pelicans guard Frank Jackson (15) shoots next to Memphis Grizzlies center Joakim Noah (55) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP PhotoBrandon Dill)

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Paolo Banchero had 31 points and 14 rebounds, Jalen Suggs added 24 points and the Orlando Magic handed Cleveland the worst playoff loss in franchise history, winning 121-83 on Thursday night to cut the Cavaliers’ lead to 2-1 in their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Franz Wagner finished with 16 points and eight assists for the Magic, who led by 43 points in the fourth quarter on the way to the third-largest margin of victory in a playoff game. They earned their first playoff victory since 2019 and the first on their home floor since April 26, 2011.

They can even the series with a victory at home Sunday.

Jarrett Allen had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Cavaliers, who shot 39% from the field and 23.5% from 3-point range. Caris LeVert added 15 points and Donovan Mitchell had 13 points and seven assists.

76ERS 125, KNICKS 114

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid scored 50 points, making all four 3-point attempts and scoring 18 in a potential series-shifting third quarter to lead Philadelphia to a win over New York in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Embiid boldly stated “we’re going to win this series” after the 76ers dropped Game 2.

With one of the finest postseason efforts of his career, Embiid became the third player to ever score 50 points against the Knicks in the postseason and kept the hope of a Philadelphia series comeback very much alive.

The Knicks lead the series 2-1. Game 4 is Sunday in Philadelphia.

Embiid was 13 of 19 from the floor overall, made 19 of 21 free throws and hit five 3-pointers.

NUGGETS 112, LAKERS 105

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Aaron Gordon had 29 points and 15 rebounds, Nikola Jokic added 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists, and Denver moved to the brink of the second round with a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of their first-round series..

Jamal Murray scored 22 points as the defending NBA champion Nuggets won their 11th consecutive meeting with LeBron James and the Lakers in dominating style.

Michael Porter Jr. added 20 points for Denver, which took control in the third quarter and cruised through the final minutes to its fifth straight road win over Los Angeles, starting with its sweep of last season’s Western Conference finals.

Game 4 is Saturday night in Los Angeles. No NBA team has ever rallied from an 0-3 playoff deficit.

Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) makes a shot as he gets past Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)