MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Trey Jemison scored a career-high 24 points, GG Jackson added 19 and the Memphis Grizzlies used a late rally to hold on for a 109-97 win over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night.
Jake LaRavia added 16 points for Memphis. Jemison was 11 of 13 from the field.
Jemison was all smiles in the locker room after eclipsing his previous high by 12 points at halftime. He made a few early hook shots and, knowing the Wizards were playing without a true center, he continued to be aggressive in the middle.
Jemison, with a two-way contract, helped Memphis build a 66-50 advantage in the paint and a 53-28 advantage in rebounding.
“It was amazing,” Jemison said. “I had a great time there. I took my time. Nothing crazy. Nothing special. The plans I work on are the ones I have made.
John Konchar pulled down 10 rebounds and Jordan Goodwin pulled down a career-high 12 rebounds, dished out seven assists and scored eight points.
Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said Jemison was aggressive early, helping Memphis set the tone in the game. He said the Grizzlies center, who also grabbed five of his six rebounds on the offensive glass, was taking “steps in the right direction.”
“He does the little things that impact winning,” Jenkins said.
Kyle Kuzma had 24 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the Wizards, who were trying to win three straight games for the first time this season. Corey Kispert finished with 22 points and Deni Avdija 16.
Tyus Jones, who returned to Memphis for the first time after four years with the Grizzlies, scored four points, but had nine assists to just one turnover.
The Wizards never led the game and fought throughout the game. Memphis’ early lead was caused by Washington not being ready to play, said interim coach Brian Keefe, who took over for Wes Unseld Jr. on Jan. 25.
“I have to take care of it,” Keefe said. “I didn’t have the band ready to play from the start. We had a terrible first half. We weren’t ready to leave.
The Wizards, who trailed by 25 in the first half, chipped away at Memphis’ advantage with an 18-5 rally early in the third. The Grizzlies’ lead was still 17 entering the fourth. Washington continued to chip away as the Grizzlies made just one of their first 11 shots in the period, while committing seven turnovers.
The Wizards got within 94-88 on Kuzma’s basket with 5:24 left. But Memphis went on a 9-1 run to regain the double-digit lead and end a two-game losing streak.
Asked what changed in the second half, Keefe replied: “We changed our mentality. We came out and played with an aggressive mindset.
The matchup pitted two of the worst teams in their respective conferences. In fact, the loss dropped the Wizards into the Eastern Conference cellar, below the inactive Detroit Pistons, for the worst record in the NBA. Washington has already been eliminated from the playoffs.
Jemison had 14 points in the first half, missing just one of his nine shots. That helped Memphis build a 67-42 lead at halftime.
“His hook shot was cash,” Jackson said. “For a second I thought he was going to come out and shoot a middleman.”
FOLLOWING
Wizards: Continue a four-game road trip Thursday in Houston against the Rockets.
Grizzlies: Host the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday.
