The Memphis Grizzlies are very thankful for Marcus Smart’s breakout night, which led them to a 131-111 victory over the Detroit Pistons, Wednesday..
It was also the bench unit’s time to shine, as they offered up a season-high 72 points.
The Pistons took a one-point lead into the second quarter but were quickly surpassed by the Grizzlies on the backs of Smart and Scotty Pippen Jr., who shot a combined eight-of-10 from the field in the quarter.
Smart has struggled to stay healthy this season and has already missed 10 games. Between injuries and inconsistencies, Smart’s role with the team has been relegated from the starting lineup to the bench.
Smart’s season-high 25 points against the Pistons could start an upswing in his performance. His seven made three-pointers are the most by any Grizzlies player this season.
Memphis built an 18-point lead that carried into the second half after being down as many as 11 points in the first quarter.
Four of five Grizzlies’ starters finished the night in double-digits:
Scotty Pippen Jr. put up 19 points on nine of 12 shooting and added seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
Jaylen Wells and Brandon Clarke added 13 points each, and Jaren Jackson Jr. contributed 12 points.
From the bench:
Smart led all scorers with 25 points, and added four rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
Jake LaRavia put up a season-high 19 points on eight-ofnine overall shooting and hit three of four from beyond the arc.
Jay Huff added 13 points, two rebounds, and three assists.
Who Got Next?
The Grizzlies will continue their homestand Friday afternoon against the New Orleans Pelicans in an NBA Cup game, and Ja Morant is slated to return to the lineup. Tip-off is at 4 PM CST.
