Memphis Grizzlies complete 15-point comeback, win fourth straight in Marcus Smart's return

Jaren Jackson Jr.'s number was called twice to win the game for the Memphis Grizzlies.

When the Grizzlies forward attempted two free throws with Memphis down one and a chance to win the game with less than a second remaining, he made only made one of the free throws.

Jackson got a second chance to ice the game late in overtime, and he took advantage by making a post hook shot over a New Orleans Pelicans defender and giving the Grizzlies a four-point lead in the final 40 seconds. Memphis held on and completed a 15-point comeback in a 116-115 win against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center.

Marcus Smart took a charge on the following possession against Zion Williamson after Jackson's made basket. The Grizzlies then got an emphatic alley-oop by Ja Morant on a pass from Smart.

Morant led the Grizzlies with 31 points. Desmond Bane added 27. The Grizzlies (10-19) are now 4-0 since Morant returned to the lineup.

New Orleans (10-19) got 24 points from Brandon Ingram. Both teams shot 43.3% in a game highlighted by defense.

Overtime

Memphis trailed by as many as 13 points in the fourth quarter before having a chance to win in the final second. Jaren Jackson Jr. went to the free-throw line with two attempts and the Grizzlies down one point. Jackson made the first attempt before missing the second, which led to overtime.

Fourth quarter

End of regulation: Grizzlies 103, Pelicans 103

Marcus Smart gets going

8:50 left: Memphis trails 86-78. After three scoreless quarters, Marcus Smart is giving the Grizzlies an offensive boost. He has scored eight points in the fourth quarter during a 12-4 Grizzlies run.

Third quarter

End of third quarter: Pelicans 80, Grizzlies 67

The Pelicans pulled away in the third quarter as the Grizzlies continued to turn the ball over. Memphis has 14 turnovers while shooting just 39.3% from the floor. Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson are pacing the Pelicans with 17 points apiece. Ja Morant and Desmond Bane both have 20 points for the Grizzlies.

4:20 left: The Grizzlies trail the Pelicans 68-61. Ja Morant and Desmond Bane have combined for 38 points, but no other Memphis player is in double figures. Four of the five Pelicans starters have reached double digits in scoring. Memphis has been held to just 28 paint points so far.

Second quarter

Halftime: Pelicans 46, Grizzlies 43

The Pelicans ended the first half on a 13-5 run. Memphis struggled and generated just 19 points in the second quarter. The Grizzlies are shooting 38.1% overall and 17.4% on 3-pointers. Desmond Bane leads the Grizzlies with 17 points. Zion Williamson has 13 points to lead New Orleans. Memphis hasn't gotten much scoring from its bench outside of a spark provided late in the second quarter by David Roddy. He scored five of the Grizzlies' nine bench points.

8:49 left: The Pelicans are on a 10-0 in part because of Grizzlies shooting struggles. New Orleans is packing the paint, daring the Grizzlies to make shots. Memphis is 2-for-17 on 3-pointers.

First quarter

End of first quarter: Memphis leads New Orleans 24-19. The Grizzlies got Marcus Smart back in the starting lineup and the defense quickly benefited from his return. Smart had two steals in the first quarter. One of those steals led to a Desmond Bane transition layup. Bane scored 14 points in the first quarter to lead all scorers.

Memphis is shooting 45.5% and holding the Pelicans to 35% shooting.

Grizzlies hoping to keep momentum going

The vibes around the Memphis Grizzlies and their outlook this season flipped one week ago after the return of Ja Morant. That game came against the New Orleans Pelicans, where Morant poetically ended the meeting with a game winner.

The Grizzlies and Pelicans are facing off a week later after that dramatic ending. This will be the third meeting this season between the two division foes. New Orleans (17-13) won the first matchup on opening night before the Grizzlies took last week's meeting.

Memphis (9-19) has won three games in a row, but Tuesday's game will serve as a different test. Not only are the Grizzlies on the road, but the Pelicans will be the first team to face Memphis a second time since Morant has returned. Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins has found a rhythm with his lineups and rotations, but New Orleans has the opportunity to break down film and make adjustments.

Morant dominated in the second half of that first meeting with his paint scoring. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane also scored more than 20 points apiece. The Grizzlies' star trio have all eclipsed 20 points in their first three games playing together this season.

Another key player could return to the lineup tonight. Marcus Smart is listed as questionable after missing the past 16 games because of a left foot sprain. Smart's addition would give Memphis another primary ball handler to go with Bane and Morant.

Follow along for live updates.

What channel is Grizzlies vs. Pelicans on today?

• TV channel: Bally Sports Southeast

• Stream: Bally Sports app, FUBO (free trial)

Grizzlies vs. Pelicans start time

• Date: Tuesday, Dec. 26

• Time: 7 p.m. CT

Grizzlies vs. Pelicans betting odds

• SPREAD: Pelicans -4.5

• MONEY LINE: Pelicans -196, Grizzlies +164

• OVER/UNDER: 229

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies complete 15-point comeback in OT win vs Pelicans