Morant, Grizzlies pull away early, beat Wizards 125-111

Ja Morant had 35 points and 10 assists, De'Anthony Melton and Dillon Brooks each added 20 points, and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Washington Wizards 125-111 on Tuesday night.

Jonas Valanciunas had 11 points and 16 rebounds for Memphis, which has won back-to-back road games for the first time since winning four in a row away as part of a seven-game win streak from Jan. 8 to Feb. 1.

After a dominant second quarter, the Grizzlies led by double digits for all but 44 seconds of the second half to follow a 133-84 victory at Houston with another comfortable win.

Washington Wizards guard Russell Westbrook (4) points during the first half of an NBA basketball game against Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22), Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Russell Westbrook had 23 points and 15 assists for the Wizards, but also committed eight of Washington's 22 turnovers.

Bradley Beal also scored 23 points for Washington, which has lost two in a row after winning seven of eight. Robin Lopez added 14 while hitting all six of his field goal attempts.

Aided by Washington's nine second-quarter giveaways, including five by Westbrook, Memphis used a 27-6 run to turn to build a 17-point lead.

Washington Wizards guard Russell Westbrook (4) passes the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks (24) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Dillon Brooks and Brandon Clarke hit 3-pointers before Morant’s pull-up made it 60-50. Then Morant found Justise Winslow for a dunk and kicked out to Melton for another 3 to stretch it to 69-52 with 33 seconds remaining, and the half ended with the Grizzlies still up 71-56.

Washington scored the opening six points of the second half, but was never again within single digits after that.

TIP-INS

Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks (24) shoots against Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Grizzlies: Started their 10th different lineup as F Kyle Anderson sat with a respiratory illness. ... G Grayson Allen (concussion) missed his second game but is “progressing really well” through the league's concussion protocol, said coach Taylor Jenkins.

Wizards: Fell to 7-3 with their most-used starting five of Beal, Westbrook, Rui Hachimura, Garrison Mathews and Moe Wagner. ... Westbrook was involved in each of the Wizards' first eight baskets, assisting five and hitting the other three.

NO DOUBTERS

Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks (24) fouls Washington Wizards center Robin Lopez (15) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

The Grizzlies picked up a fourth consecutive win decided by double digits. They have gone seven games since they had a win or loss decided by fewer than 10 points, the last being a 122-113 home victory over Oklahoma City on Feb. 17.

UP NEXT

Grizzlies: Host Milwaukee on Thursday.

Memphis Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas (17) and Washington Wizards center Robin Lopez (15) battle under the basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

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Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) passes during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Memphis Grizzlies guard De'Anthony Melton (0) shoots against Washington Wizards guard Russell Westbrook (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)