Morant has late burst, Grizzlies hold off Suns 114-109

Ja Morant scored 14 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter to help the Memphis Grizzlies hold off the Phoenix Suns 114-109 on Sunday night for their second straight victory.

Playing hours after news that former NBA star Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter accident, the Grizzlies won the opening tip and immediately took a 24-second clock violation. When the Suns took possession, they stayed in the backcourt for an 8-second violation — the 24 and 8 representing Bryant’s two numbers during his NBA career. As the Memphis crowd rose in appreciation of Bryant, they began chanting “Kobe! Kobe!"

Jaren Jackson Jr. and Dillon Brooks finished with 20 points each for Memphis. Kyle Anderson, who had a season-high 12 rebounds, made a two free throws with 11.3 seconds left.

Phoenix Suns forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (3) handles the ball ahead of Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP PhotoBrandon Dill)

Devin Booker led the Suns with 36 points, Kelly Oubre Jr. added 27 points, and Deandre Ayton finished with 17 points and 15 rebounds. Phoenix lost for the third time in four games.

Memphis was able to build the lead to double digits in the third quarter. The Suns put on a burst at the close of the third, pulling to 79-78 with a 17-4 run as the Grizzlies struggled to hold on to the ball, committing nine turnovers in the quarter.

But Morant took overn the fourth. In the final 4:06, with the Suns continuing to threaten the Memphis lead, Morant scored eight of 10 Memphis points and the only one where he didn’t, he assisted on an alley-oop to Brandon Clarke.

Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke (15) steals the ball between Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) and center Deandre Ayton (22) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP PhotoBrandon Dill)

The Suns trailed by a single point once and tied the game twice but could never overtake the Grizzlies.

TIP-INS

Suns: Played without C Aron Baynes (left hip soreness), F Cameron Johnson and C/F Frank Kaminsky III (right patella stress fracture). … Played the second of a three-game trip. … Booker missed a free throw in the third quarter, ending a string of 39 straight made. … Rubio was 1 of 10 from the field.

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) drives against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr., right, in the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP PhotoBrandon Dill)

Grizzlies: Starting F Jae Crowder missed the game with right knee soreness. Anderson started in his place. …Morant reached double digit in the fourth quarter for the 13th time this season and fifth in the last eight games.

UP NEXT

Suns:. At Dallas on Tuedsay night.

Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas (17) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP PhotoBrandon Dill)

Grizzlies: Host Denver on Tuesday night.

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Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) drives ahead of Phoenix Suns guards Ricky Rubio (11) and Devin Booker (1) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP PhotoBrandon Dill)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks (24) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP PhotoBrandon Dill)

Phoenix Suns forward Kelly Oubre Jr. wears shoes with a tribute message to the late Kobe Bryant in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP PhotoBrandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies guard De'Anthony Melton (0) hangs from the rim after a dunk as Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke, right, gathers the ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP PhotoBrandon Dill)

A sign reading "Kobe Rest In Peace" is displayed on an empty seat in the first half of a basketball game between the Phoenix Suns and the Memphis Grizzlies, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Memphis, Tenn. Former NBA player Kobe Bryant died in a California helicopter crash Sunday. (AP PhotoBrandon Dill)

Phoenix Suns guard Jevon Carter (4) and Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. struggle for the ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP PhotoBrandon Dill)