Olivier-Maxence Prosper scored 23 points and GG Jackson added 20 as the Memphis Grizzlies rallied from a double-digit halftime deficit to defeat the visiting Utah Jazz 123-114 and snap a four-game losing streak Friday.
Javon Small contributed 16 points, Jaylen Wells had 13 and Lawson Lovering (11 points, 11 rebounds) and Cam Spencer (10 points, 10 assists) produced double-doubles for the Grizzlies, who placed eight in double figures.
The Grizzlies recovered from a double-digit first-half deficit to win for the fourth time this season.
Isaiah Collier led Utah with 24 points and Kyle Filipowski and Ace Bailey added 20 apiece. Blake Hinson tossed in 13 points in his second NBA game.
Both teams were short-handed and played without multiple rotation players. The Grizzlies were without Ja Morant, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Santi Aldama, Cedric Coward, Ty Jerome, Walter Clayton Jr. and Scotty Pippen Jr., all out with injuries or injury management. Injuries kept Utah’s Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, Jaren Jackson Jr., Walker Kessler, Jusuf Nurkic and Oscar Tshiebwe sidelined. Markkanen is averaging 26.7 points per game and George 23.8, both career highs.
Jackson was appearing in Memphis for the first time since the Grizzlies traded him to the Jazz shortly before the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline.
The Jazz led by 12 entering the third quarter but Memphis fought back and trimmed the Utah margin to one point at 88-87 after three.
The Grizzlies pulled away by going on a 15-4 run to start the fourth quarter. Wells and GG Jackson closed the run, Wells with a 3-pointer and Jackson with a layup for a 102-92 Memphis advantage with 8:37 to go. The Grizzlies extended their lead to 16 four minutes later on another Jackson basket.
Memphis had to survive a late rally by the Jazz. A 3-pointer by Collier and two free throws from Bailey with 17.1 seconds to go trimmed the Grizzlies lead to 119-114. But Small made four straight free throws in the remaining seconds.
Utah led for the majority of the opening half, including by as many as 14 late in the second quarter. The Jazz were up 67-55 at the half.
