Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) is defended by Detroit Pistons center James Wiseman (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, April 1, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
DETROIT — Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 27 of his 40 points in the second half and the Memphis Grizzlies held on for a 110-108 win over the Detroit Pistons on Monday night. NBA.
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins believes Jackson has reached a new level since moving to center.
“JJ was phenomenal tonight,” Jenkins said. “Not just 40 points, but he was playing downhill and getting to the line. It’s really impressive what he’s done since probably mid-January when we made the change.
The Grizzlies trailed 57-44 at halftime, but Jackson scored 21 points in a 41-point third quarter.
“The half was huge,” Jackson said. “We regrouped and stopped playing like we were down 100 points. The coach told us to play as if we had lost a point.
Cade Cunningham, who finished with 36 points, missed a game-tying 12-footer as time expired.
Jaren Jackson Jr. and Cade Cunningham put on a show tonight as Memphis edged out a 2-point victory over Detroit!
JJJ: 40 PTS, 7 CER
Cadets: 36 PTS, 8 AST pic.twitter.com/96KH17PNPY-NBA (@NBA) April 2, 2024
“I told Cade he was going to win us a playoff game on a day like that,” Pistons coach Monty Williams said. “(By) playing like he did throughout the stretch tonight.”
Jackson made 13 of 23 from the floor and 12 of 14 from the free throw line. Former Piston Luke Kennard added 19 points and eight assists to the Grizzlies, who had lost three times in a row and seven out of eight.
“Things started to go our way in the second half,” Jackson said. “We started moving the ball and Luke went crazy.”
Detroit has lost nine out of 10.
The Grizzlies had a 110-108 lead when a loose ball went out of bounds with 1:04 left.
The Pistons received the ball, but Jenkins challenged. The replay showed he went out of bounds off the foot of Detroit rookie Chimezie Metu.
GG Jackson missed a shot with 50 seconds left, then Metu missed a 3-pointer with 36 seconds left. Jackson missed a layup, giving Cunningham his last chance.
“I didn’t think I was going to be that open on the last play and I missed,” Jackson said. “I was really happy to hear the buzzer after that.”
Pistons center Jalen Duren left the game in the first quarter with a facial injury. Williams did not have an update after the match.
Detroit used an 18-3 run late in the second quarter to take a 57-44 halftime lead. Cunningham and Jaden Ivey combined for 35 points on 14-of-19 shooting in the first half. Jackson had 13 for Memphis before lighting up the Pistons in the second half.
“I wasn’t unhappy with our defense against (Jackson),” Williams said. “We might be in a better position to help, but he did a really good job initiating contact.”
Your subscription could not be saved. Try Again.
Your subscription was successful.
NEXT SCHEDULE
Grizzlies: Visit Milwaukee on Wednesday.
Pistons: Visit Atlanta on Wednesday.
