Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 27 out of his 40 points in the second half, helping the Memphis Grizzlies secure a 110-108 win over the Detroit Pistons on Monday night.
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins believes Jackson has improved significantly since shifting to the center position.
“JJ was outstanding tonight,” Jenkins commented. “Not just scoring 40 points, but he was attacking the basket aggressively and drawing fouls. It’s really impressive how he’s performed since around mid-January when we made the change.”
At halftime, Memphis was behind 57-44, but Jackson scored 21 points in a massive 41-point third quarter. “The halftime break was crucial,” Jackson said. “We regrouped and changed our mindset, playing more assertively like we were just one point behind.”
Cade Cunningham, who ended up with 36 points, missed a potential game-tying shot from 12 feet as time expired. “I told Cade that someday he’ll win us a playoff game with a play like that,” Pistons coach Monty Williams said, praising Cunningham’s late-game performance.
Jackson made 13 of his 23 field-goal attempts and was nearly perfect from the free-throw line, sinking 12 of 14 shots. Former Piston Luke Kennard contributed 19 points and eight assists for Memphis, which had been struggling with three consecutive losses and seven losses in eight games.
“Things started to turn our way in the second half,” Jackson noted. “We began moving the ball well, and Luke had an outstanding performance.” Detroit has now lost nine out of its last ten games.
With 1:04 remaining, Memphis held a slim 110-108 lead when a disputed out-of-bounds call went in their favor after a challenge by Jenkins. Despite missed shots from both teams in the closing seconds, the Grizzlies managed to hold on for the win.
Pistons center Jalen Duren exited the game in the first quarter due to a facial injury, but there was no update on his condition after the game.
Detroit surged ahead with an 18-3 run late in the second quarter to establish a 57-44 lead at halftime. Cunningham and Jaden Ivey combined for 35 points on impressive shooting in the first half. Meanwhile, Jackson contributed 13 points for Memphis before delivering a remarkable performance in the second half.
