Ja Morant scored 10 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, and Jaren Jackson Jr. blocked a last-second floater by Paolo Banchero to seal the Memphis Grizzlies’ 105-104 victory over the Orlando Magic on Friday night. The Grizzlies (37-19) avoided their first three-game losing streak of the season, while the Magic (28-30) missed a chance to move up in the Eastern Conference standings.
Desmond Bane added 16 points and seven rebounds, hitting a crucial free throw with 45.2 seconds left for what turned out to be the game-winning point. Memphis nearly let the lead slip when Santi Aldama missed two free throws with 10.7 seconds remaining, but Banchero’s contested drive was stopped by Jackson’s block at the buzzer.
Franz Wagner led Orlando with 25 points, while Banchero struggled from the field, shooting 5-for-21 but still finishing with 21 points. Cole Anthony contributed 17 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists for the Magic, who have now lost three of their last five games.
Memphis overcame a sluggish shooting night, making just 7 of 33 attempts from three-point range and committing 15 turnovers. The Grizzlies trailed by as many as 19 points in the third quarter before GG Jackson II sparked a 19-0 run, hitting three of the team’s four made three-pointers during that stretch.
Jackson finished with 16 points and three blocks, playing a key defensive role throughout the night. Morant, despite shooting 10-for-24, controlled the late-game moments, tying the game with a layup after a replay review overturned an out-of-bounds call with 2:05 remaining.
Orlando hurt itself at the free-throw line, missing 10 of its 33 attempts, including four in the fourth quarter. Wendell Carter Jr. posted a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had nine points and three assists.
The Magic were once again without Jalen Suggs, who missed his 21st game in the last 22 due to a left quad contusion. They now head into a seven-game homestand, looking to regain momentum in their playoff push.
