Pelicans top Grizzlies 138-131 in OT, earn play-in spot

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Herbert Jones scored acareer-high 35 points and the New Orleans Pelicans overcame a19-point deficit to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 138-131 in overtimeWednesday night and clinch a play-in spot.

Jones’ fast-break dunk capped a decisive 10-0 run to open theextra period. The surge started with a pair of 3s by Trey MurphyIII, who hit seven 3s in the game and finished with 30 points.

The Pelicans combined to hit 21 3s, including five by Jones, whois known more as a defender than a scorer and was left wide open onseveral of his perimeter baskets.

CJ McCollum hit six from deep and finished with 31 points and 10rebounds for New Orleans, while Brandon Ingram overcame a slowstart and hit a slew of clutch shots to wind up with 24 points and13 rebounds.

The victory guarantees the Pelicans at least a top- 10 finish inthe Western Conference, good enough to get into the play-in. Thequestion is what seeding they’ll have after their final twogames.

Jaren Jackson Jr. had 40 points, nine rebounds and four blocksfor Memphis, which led for most of regulation despite resting JaMorant (left hip), Luke Kennard (right ankle) and Xavier Tillman(right ankle).

Despite those absences, Memphis surged in front by 19 late inthe second quarter when Brooks hit a 10-foot turnaround fade tomake it 69-50.

The Grizzlies led for most of regulation and were up 101-89 inthe fourth quarter when the Pelicans stunningly turned the game onits head with a 22-6 run during which they made seven 3s — four byMurphy. That put New Orleans in front 111-107 and had the crowdroaring and out of their seats as Memphis coach Taylor Jenkinscalled timeout.

Ingram, who scored 10 in the last 3:39 of regulation, hit a16-foot, pull-up jumper in the face of tight defense from DillonBrooks to make it 123-118 with 14.3 seconds left, and Trey MurphyIII made it 124-118 when he hit one of two free throws with 11seconds to go.

Memphis then remarkably forced overtime with a 6-0 run in thelast five seconds, starting with Brooks’ corner 3 as he was fouledby Jones.

Brooks missed the free throw, apparently on purpose in hopes ofhis team getting a rebound, but New Orleans got it and calledtimeout, only to turn the ball over on an offensive foul during andinbound.

New Orleans then fouled Desmond Bane on the dribble with 2.6seconds left, and he hit one free throw before purposely missingthe second. Jaren Jackson rebounded and was fouled as he tried toput the ball back up with 0.4 on the clock. Jackson hit two freethrows to tie it at 124.

TIP-INS

Grizzlies: Brooks finished with 25 points, while Bane had 24.Tyus Jones had 13 points, 12 assists and four steals. ... Outscoredthe Pelicans 70-34 in the paint and outrebounded New Orleans49-44.

Pelicans: Had three players with 30 points in a game for thefirst time in franchise history. ... Need one more victory in theirlast two games to finish with a winning regular season record forthe first time since 2017-18, when they went 48-34. ... Shot 50%(44 of 88), including 21 of 39 (53.8%) from 3.

UP NEXT

Grizzlies: At Milwaukee on Friday night.

Pelicans: Host New York on Friday night.