NBA Top Five Performances, March 28: Desmond Bane’s 31 Points Helped the Memphis Grizzlies Stave Off Orlando Magic
TOP PLAYERS OF THE DAY:
When the Memphis Grizzlies played the Los Angeles Lakers on March 7, Desmond Bane had arguably his worst game of the season. Since then, he’s been on a roll, helping Memphis win 10 of their last 11 games. Desmond Bane had 31 points in the Grizzlies’ victory against the Orlando Magic Tuesday night to extend Memphis’ winning streak to seven. Bane had 15 fourth quarter points, including eight free throws to cap off the win.
“He’s improved so much over the season with his decision making and play making,” coach Taylor Jenkins said. “There’s just a lot of trust with all the development he’s shown in the off-season and this season, and just our intention of improving our fourth quarter offense by putting the ball in his hands. I’m proud of his effort tonight.”
The only loss the Grizzlies have suffered since March 7 was against the Miami Heat, when Bane was ejected in the third quarter. They are three games behind the Denver Nuggets for the top seed in the Western Conference.
OTHERS:
- Kristaps Porzingis’ 32 points and 13 rebounds led a short-handed Washington Wizards team to victory against the Boston Celtics.
- Steph Curry fueled the Golden State Warriors’ comeback with a 39-point performance against the New Orleans Pelicans. Curry went 8 of 15 from 3-point range, adding eight rebounds and eight assists to his monster performance Tuesday night.
- Donovan Mitchell had 44 points against the Atlanta Hawks, but the Cleveland Cavaliers were not able to come up victorious in the end.
- P.J. Washington’s career-high 43-point performance lifted the Charlotte Hornets over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jayden.armant@bison.howard.edu or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.
