Zach Edey had a career performance featuring 32 points, including all six in a lead-changing run late in the game, and the Memphis Grizzlies overtook the host Sacramento Kings for a 115-107 victory Sunday night.
Edey’s 32 points were seven more than he’d scored in any previous NBA game. He hit 16 of his 20 shots on a night when he made neither a 3-pointer nor a free throw.
The second-year pro also found time for a game-high 17 rebounds, the fourth-most of his career, and a career-best five blocks, helping Memphis extend its winning streak to three.
DeMar DeRozan had a team-high 23 points and Malik Monk 21 for the Kings, who were outshot 52.3% to 45.7% overall and 37.5% to 29.6% on 3-pointers.
After the Kings had rallied from an eight-point deficit with 7:38 remaining to take a 103-102 lead on a Keegan Murray floater with 4:51 to go, Edey did all the game’s scoring during the next critical 2 1/2 minutes.
He gave the Grizzlies the lead for good on an interior hoop off a Jaren Jackson Jr. assist with 4:16 left, increased the margin to three when he converted an offensive rebound into a hoop 52 seconds later, and gave Memphis a 108-103 lead when he slammed home a Vince Williams Jr. lob with 2:16 left.
Seeking to end a two-game losing streak, the Kings stopped the slide on a Murray free throw with 1:39 to go, but Cedric Coward dropped in a layup and Edey capped his big night with another dunk to help the visitors retain their lead.
Cam Spencer backed Edey with 16 points, while Jaylen Wells added 15, Jackson and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 13 apiece and Coward 10 for the Grizzlies, who scored the first 10 points of the second half to turn a 62-59 halftime advantage into a 13-point lead.
Coward also found time for seven rebounds as the Grizzlies dominated the Kings on the boards to the tune of 52-34.
Williams overcame an 0-for-8 shooting night to aid the Memphis cause with a team-high seven assists.
Zach LaVine chipped in with 19 points, Murray 12 and Precious Achiuwa 11 with a team-high seven rebounds for Sacramento. Russell Westbrook had a team-high seven assists, six rebounds and two steals on a night when he was held to three points on 1-for-10 shooting.
