WASHINGTON (AP) — Alex Sarr scored 20 points and blocked a career-best six shots to help the Washington Wizards to a 116-112 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday night.
CJ McCollum added 16 points for Washington (7-23), which earned its first back-to-back victories of the season and second win over Memphis in nine days. McCollum scored six in the fourth quarter.
The Wizards outrebounded the Grizzlies 54-42 and overcame 19 turnovers — eight alone by Bub Carrington. Washington’s Justin Champagnie had 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 31 points and Ja Morant added 21 for Memphis (15-17), which failed to reach the .500 mark for the first time since the Grizzlies were 3-3 following a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 31.
They also fell short of reaching .500 in their 130-122 home loss to Washington on Dec. 20.
After the Wizards built a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter with a 26-7 run, the Grizzlies closed to 108-107 on Santi Aldama’s 3-pointer from the right wing with 2:52 left.
But McCollum and Khris Middleton combined to score the last eight points while Washington held Memphis scoreless for the next 2:35.
Morant then hit a dunk and added a late 3-pointer off a turnover to close it to 114-112 with 6 seconds remaining, but Middleton’s two free throws sealed it.
Up next
Grizzlies: Host Philadelphia on Tuesday.
Wizards: Close a three-game homestand Monday against Phoenix.
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