Memphis Grizzlies at Detroit Pistons

· National Basketball Association

Memphis Grizzlies

33-33, 19-15 Away

Final
97 - 111

Detroit Pistons

20-47, 13-19 Home

Pistons snap skid with 111-97 win over Grizzlies

The Grizzlies dropped a half-game behind Golden State for eighth place in the Western Conference, failing to take advantage of the matchup against a Detroit team with more than a few absences.

The Pistons still have the second-worst record in the NBA, but they're just a half-game behind Minnesota, and Oklahoma City, Orlando and Cleveland aren't far ahead of Detroit.

“We needed it. We were teetering, our guys kind of hanging our head, losing confidence," Pistons coach Dwane Casey said. "We needed that to continue our confidence, to have continuation in building our culture.”

The Grizzlies, playing a night after a 139-135 win over Minnesota, scored just 17 points in the second quarter and 21 in the third. They trailed Detroit by eight entering the fourth, and although they cut the lead to two at one point, the Pistons responded with a 10-3 run to make it 99-90.

“I thought we had great urgency early in the game, and we just weren’t able to sustain it for 48 minutes,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said.

Ja Morant led Memphis with 20 points and Jonas Valanciunas added 19 points and 16 rebounds.

“Second night of a back-to-back, but that’s no excuse,” said Jaren Jackson Jr., who scored 17 points for the Grizzlies. “We’ve just got to be ready all the time.”

Detroit had seven players in double figures, including all five starters. Isaiah Stewart scored 15 points and Sekou Doumbouya added 14.

TIP-INS

Grizzlies: Desmond Bane, who scored 22 points off the bench against the Timberwolves, was in the starting lineup Thursday but scored just two points on 1-of-5 shooting. ... Grayson Allen (left abdominal soreness), Sean McDermott (left foot soreness) and Xavier Tillman (illness) were out.

Pistons: Detroit was without Hamidou Diallo (personal reasons), Jerami Grant (right knee soreness), Killian Hayes (illness), Josh Jackson (oral surgery), Rodney McGruder (right elbow sprain), Mason Plumlee (rest) and Dennis Smith Jr. (left knee soreness). ... The Pistons shot 53% from the field and finished with 62 points in the paint.

Grizzlies: Face Toronto on Saturday night in Tampa, Florida. The Raptors won the teams' previous matchup this season 128-113 on Feb. 8.

Pistons: Visit Philadelphia on Saturday night. The teams split their previous two games this season.

Follow Noah Trister at https://twitter.com/noahtrister

Regular Season Series

Series tied 1-1

Recent Plays

4th 0.0	End of Game	97 - 111
4th 0.0	End of the 4th Quarter	97 - 111
4th 9.0	Pistons defensive team rebound	97 - 111
4th 9.0	Kyle Anderson misses 27-foot three point jumper	97 - 111
4th 15.9	Isaiah Stewart makes free throw 1 of 1	97 - 111

Statistics

MEM		DET
38-89	FG	44-83
43	Field Goal %	53
10-37	3PT	11-28
27	Three Point %	39
11-17	FT	12-14
65	Free Throw %	86
42	Rebounds	39
12	Offensive Rebounds	5
30	Defensive Rebounds	34
25	Assists	24
7	Steals	9
5	Blocks	6
15	Turnovers	11
0	Team Turnovers	1
15	Total Turnovers	12
0	Technical Fouls	0
0	Total Technical Fouls	0
0	Flagrant Fouls	0
20	Points Conceded Off Turnovers	18
8	Fast Break Points	16
54	Points in Paint	62
14	Fouls	18
7	Largest Lead	14

Detroit Pistons Injuries

NAME, POS	STATUS	DATE
Jalen Duren, C	Day-To-Day	Mar 27
Tobias Harris, F	Day-To-Day	Mar 27
Isaiah Stewart, F	Out	Mar 27
Marcus Sasser, G	Day-To-Day	Mar 27
Ausar Thompson, G	Day-To-Day	Mar 27