Phoenix Suns (42-33) beat Memphis Grizzlies (25-50) 131-105 on the road on Monday, March 30. The final margin was 26 points.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Suns had the better start, winning the first 34-31 to lead by 3 after one. The Suns kept the pressure on with a 31-30 second quarter, carrying a 4-point lead into halftime.
The Grizzlies won the third 28-26 to stay in front, taking a 2-point lead into the fourth. The Suns took the fourth 40-16; the Suns finished the job for a 131-105 regulation win.
Why it was lopsided
The Suns took better care of the ball, turning it over on 9.8% of possessions compared with 22% for the Grizzlies. The Suns grabbed 42.6% of their own misses, while the Grizzlies recovered 18.2%. Those extra possessions were crucial.
The Grizzlies did win one battle, the free-throw line: FT rate of 24 against 3.7. The Suns made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 101 possessions per team, the Suns produced 129.5 points per 100 possessions to 103.8 for the Grizzlies.
Who stood out
Devin Booker was the game's biggest individual force for PHX: 36 pts, 2 reb, 5 ast on 16-24 shooting. His Game Score of 26.7 led everyone. His team was +5 with him on the floor.
Cam Spencer led the Grizzlies with 16 pts, 3 reb, 5 ast on 6-9 shooting, good for a 14.9 Game Score.
Collin Gillespie (11 pts, 5 reb, 10 ast) recorded a double-double.
What it means
The pre-game Win Meter had it close to a coin flip, at about 59% for the Suns.
Across the last 6 meetings in our records, Memphis Grizzlies lead 5-1.
The Suns are now 42-33, and the Grizzlies are 25-50. The Suns last five before this game: L-L-W-L-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.