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Memphis Grizzlies unable to contain Suns' Devin Booker (40 points), remain winless at home

damichael cole, memphis commercial appeal
·6 min read

The Memphis Grizzlies are short-handed right now. Because of their lack of proven depth, players like Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. aren't afforded many off nights.

Neither played to his usual level Friday against the Phoenix Suns. Derrick Rose and David Roddy combined for 31 points off the bench, but Suns guard Devin Booker's 40 points were too much to overcome.

The Grizzlies fell 110-89 and remain winless at FedExForum (3-12 overall). Santi Aldama led them with 21 points.

Phoenix (10-6) has won six games in a row.

Fourth quarter

4:24 left: The Suns have scored six unanswered and built a 16-point lead. The Grizzlies are in a danger zone.

6:40 left: The Grizzlies are down 92-82. Santi Aldama and Jaren Jackson Jr. are the only Grizzlies starters in double figures. Desmond Bane has been held to six points on 3-for-12 shooting. Memphis will need its best offensive weapons to be a bigger factor in the fourth quarter.

Third quarter

End of the third quarter: Suns 81, Grizzlies 73

Memphis has got back within single digits after trailing by 15 points. The Grizzlies have to find a defensive option for Devin Booker to win today's game. Booker has 28 points on 11-for-15 shooting.

2:08 left: Memphis is down 77-71 after an 11-2 run. Derrick Rose is up to eight points off the bench.

5:16 left: The Suns lead 75-62. Memphis is making its biggest threat to get within single digits after a Santi Aldama 3-pointer cut the deficit. Aldama has made three of the Grizzlies' seven 3-pointers, and he's up to 17 points to lead Memphis.

10:48 left: Taylor Jenkins called an early timeout after a Grayson Allen 3-pointer extended the Suns lead to 67-53. On the previous possession, Devin Booker made another mid-range jumper to reach 20 points. Booker and Allen are two priorities for the Memphis defense.

Second quarter

Halftime: Suns 62, Grizzlies 49

The Grizzlies offense went the final four minutes of the second quarter without a point. As a result, Phoenix ended the half on a 14-0 run. Memphis i shooting 45.2%. The Suns are at 53.&% shooting.

Santi Aldama leads the Grizzlies with 10 points, but it's been Eric Gordon and Devin Booker of the Suns hurting Memphis. Booker has 18 points, and Gordon is up to 15 points.

6:02 left: Memphis has rallied back to tie the game 43-43 with David Roddy heading to the free-throw line for another shot. He has eight points off the bench so far.

The Grizzlies have made five 3-pointers to the Suns' two, but Phoenix has attempted 10 more free throws.

Jaren Jackson Jr. leading the way

8:12 left: Jaren Jackson Jr.'s activity has stood out so far. He has nine points and six rebounds. He has been forceful on the glass against a smaller Suns lineup. The Grizzlies are trailing 38-34.

First quarter

End of first quarter: Suns 29, Grizzlies 27

Most of the Suns offense is running through all-star guard Devin Booker with Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant out. He had nine points in the first quarter. The Grizzlies had a balanced scoring quarter after the past two games were top-heavy. Seven Grizzlies scored between two and six points.

Memphis is shooting 50% from the field and Phoenix is at 52.1%.

2:47 left: Memphis leads 22-19. Seven Grizzlies have now scored, and the team is shooting 52.9% with seven assists on nine made baskets. Phoenix is shooting 47.1%.

6:52 left: The Grizzlies are out to an early 13-8 lead. Four Grizzlies players have scored, led by four points apiece from Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr.

Injury updates: Kevin Durant, Desmond Bane

The Suns will be without Kevin Durant against the Suns. Friday will be Durant's first missed game of the season. He is currently the leading scorer for the Suns.

Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said Desmond Bane will go through a pregame routine before his status is determined. He was later upgraded to available. Bane has played in every Grizzlies game this season.

Grizzlies vs. Suns Live score updates

The search for the Memphis Grizzlies' first home win continues on Friday. Memphis is hosting the Phoenix Suns (4 p.m., Bally Sports Southeast).

The Grizzlies (3-11) are coming off a 20-point road loss against the Houston Rockets. Meanwhile, the Suns (9-6) have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA since co-star Devin Booker returned from injury and joined Kevin Durant.

Memphis remains shorthanded without key starter and rotation pieces, but the status of Desmond Bane is the biggest question against Phoenix. He is questionable to play due to a left foot sprain. The injury came in the third quarter against the Rockets, but Bane played through it for the remainder of the game.

The Suns could be without another one of their stars. Durant is questionable to play due to right foot soreness. He hasn't missed a game this season.

This will be the Grizzlies' final in-season tournament group matchup this season. The inaugural experience hasn't gone well for Memphis. The Grizzlies are the only winless team in their group.

Memphis and Phoenix split their four meetings last season.

Follow along for live updates.

What channel is Grizzlies vs. Suns today?

ROSTER UPDATES: Memphis Grizzlies sign two players to help injury-riddled roster at guard position

Grizzlies vs. Suns start time

  • Date: Nov. 24

  • Time: 4 p.m. CT

Grizzlies vs. Suns betting odds

  • SPREAD: Suns -7

  • MONEY LINE: Suns -295, Grizzlies +240

  • OVER/UNDER: 220

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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies can't contain Suns, remain winless at home