Grizzlies hold off Pistons 109-103

By Canadian Press on April 5, 2025.

DETROIT (AP) — Desmond Bane scored 38 points, Zach Edey had a career-high 21 rebounds and the Memphis Grizzlies held off the Detroit Pistons 109-103 on Saturday night.

Ja Morant was a late scratch for the Grizzlies, who had lost seven of nine, because of an illness. Jaren Jackson had 27 points and 11 rebounds.

Cade Cunningham, returning after missing six games with a calf strain, had 25 points and nine rebounds for the Pistons, who have lost three of four. Ausar Thompson added 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Detroit trailed 91-85 when center Isaiah Stewart sat with five fouls. With Detroit’s usual starter, Jalen Duren, missing the game with an injury, the Pistons were forced to use 6-foot-6 Thompson against the 7-3 3/4 Edey.

The Pistons were as close as 93-91 with four minutes left, but struggled to stop the Grizzlies around the rim. Bane hit a 3-pointer to make it 104-98 with 56 seconds left and Memphis wrapped it up at free-throw line.

KNICKS 121, HAWKS 105

ATLANTA (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns had 30 points and 11 rebounds, and hot-shooting New York took command with 40 points in the second period and beat Atlanta.

OG Anunoby scored 24 points and Mikal Bridges added 20 for the Knicks, who solidified their hold on third place in the Eastern Conference.

The Knicks made 15 of 29 3-pointers and overall were good on 53.6% of their shots from the field (45 of 84).

Trae Young scored 16 points for Atlanta while setting the team record for assists in a season. The Hawks, on track for the play-in tournament, have lost three straight and five of six.

TIMBERWOLVES 114, 76ERS 109

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 37 points, Rudy Gobert added 23 points and 19 rebounds and Minnesota extended its winning streak to five games with a victory over Philadelphia.

Julius Randle chipped in 15 points and Donte DiVincenzo 13 for the Timberwolves, who won for the sixth time in seven games.

Quentin Grimes led Philadelphia with 28 points on 10-for-18 shooting, including 6 for 10 from long distance. Guerschon Yabusele scored 19 points, Lonnie Walker IV had 18 and Jared Butler 16 as the Sixers lost their 11th straight game and for the 14th time in 15 games. Philadelphia last won on March 16, at Dallas.

After Philadelphia rallied to within 111-109 with just under 15 seconds remaining, Edward fought off a double-team, rising up to hit a 3-pointer at the shot-clock buzzer, making it 114-109. Yabusele missed a 3-pointer with 5 seconds left and Edwards grabbed the rebound, sealing the win.

BUCKS 121, HEAT 115, OT

MIAMI (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 36 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists, Kevin Porter Jr. had 24 points off the bench and Milwaukee beat Miami in overtime.

Porter had 12 rebounds, eight assists and a layup with 11 seconds left in overtime for a 119-115 lead.

Bam Adebayo had 31 points, 12 rebounds and five assists for Miami, which got a season-high 24 from Alec Burks and 20 from Davion Mitchell.

The Bucks clinched a playoff berth earlier Saturday when New York beat Atlanta, then moved past Detroit — which lost to Memphis — into the No. 5 spot in the Eastern Conference.

Miami fell a half-game behind Chicago in the race for No. 9 in the East. The Heat are 1 1/2 games behind No. 8 Atlanta and three games behind No. 7 Orlando.

The Associated Press