Morant and Bane star as the Grizzlies beat the Nets 135-119

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Ja Morant had 28 points and 10 assists, and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Brooklyn Nets 135-119 on Friday night for their fourth consecutive win.

Desmond Bane added 21 points as Memphis improved to 10-1 in its last 11 games overall. Santi Aldama and Jaren Jackson Jr. each had 20 points.

Memphis lost its first two games against Brooklyn this season.

Dorian Finney-Smith led the Nets with 19 points, while Dennis Schroder and Jalen Wilson each finished with 15. The Nets lost for the fifth time in six games.

The Grizzlies led 69-56 at halftime. Morant scored 18 in the first half.

Nets: Brooklyn played physical on defense and the game got chippy in the second half. The Nets ended up shooting 46% from the field.

Grizzlies: The Grizzlies were able to play the game at more of their pace, scoring more points than their league-leading average of 122. They also managed 22 fast-break points.

The Nets put together an 11-0 run early in the third quarter to erase a double-digit deficit, but the Grizzlies answered with an 18-3 burst that took the lead back to 17 points.

Memphis averages 122.1 points a game. The Nets had held the Grizzlies under 107 in the two previous wins this season. Memphis was already at 107 entering the fourth quarter.

Brooklyn hosts Cleveland on Monday. Memphis travels to Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Sunday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Brooklyn Nets forward Jalen Wilson (22) drives against Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart (36) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) reacts beside Brooklyn Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez, left, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Brooklyn Nets forward Jalen Wilson (22) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart (36) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke (15) handles the ball against Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) shoots between Brooklyn Nets guard Dennis Schroder (17) and forward Cameron Johnson (2) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Brooklyn Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith (28) handles the ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

CHICAGO (AP) — Josh Giddey had 17 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, and the Chicago Bulls beat the struggling Charlotte Hornets 109-95 on Friday night.

Ayo Dosunmu scored 19 points as Chicago bounced back from two straight losses. Coby White added 18 points.

Giddey and Dosunmu each hit three 3-pointers for the Bulls, who led almost the entire way, sending the Hornets to their 13th loss in 16 games.

Brandon Miller led Charlotte with 21 points, and Mark Williams had 15. Miles Bridges added 14 points and nine rebounds after missing 10 games because of a bruised right knee.

Former Bull Taj Gibson got a standing ovation when he checked into the game with about a minute remaining.

Hornets: Though they're getting healthier after being hit hard by injuries, the Hornets can't get star guard LaMelo Ball back soon enough. The NBA's third-leading scorer missed his seventh straight game because of a strained left calf.

Bulls: The Bulls were aggressive, took control early and withstood several minor pushes on the way to a rather easy win.

Bulls guard Lonzo Ball had the crowd roaring late in the first half when he hustled to track down a loose ball near midcourt and connected with Zach LaVine for a thunderous alley-oop dunk.

After Miller hit a 13-footer for Charlotte, Dosunmu drove for a layup. Bridges got called for a technical after missing on a drive. LaVine hit the free throw to make it 59-42 with 18 seconds left but got called for a travel, leading to a floater for Miller at the halftime buzzer that cut the lead to 15.

The Bulls blocked a season-high 11 shots, with Jalen Smith matching a career best by rejecting five. He also had 11 points and 11 rebounds.

The Hornets host Philadelphia on Monday, while the Bulls visit Toronto that night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Charlotte Hornets guard Josh Green, left, makes a basket around Chicago Bulls forward Jalen Smith, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges, left, makes a basket despite a block-attempt by Chicago Bulls center Adama Sanogo, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine, right, guards against Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu, left, guards Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball, center left, grabs the jersey of Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller, center right, who attempts to shoot during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)