The NBA no longer has an unbeaten team. Memphis carried a 6-0 record and the chance of a franchise-best seven straight wins into Monday night, and Ty Jerome almost dragged them there on his own. Instead the visitors from New Orleans snatched it 135-134 after an extra five minutes.
New Orleans trailed 100-95 going into the fourth quarter, then clawed ahead. That set the stage for Jerome. With 1:43 left in regulation he reeled off nine unanswered points to tie it at 124 and force extra time, and he kept going in overtime, scoring most of Memphis’ points there. His line: 40 points on 14 made shots in 22 attempts, five of six threes, plus five boards and five assists.
The winner came from the line. Jeremiah Fears calmly made both of his foul shots with just over seven seconds on the clock, and Memphis put the last possession in Jerome’s hands. His pull-up from around 15 feet, contested by Trey Murphy III, rimmed out.
New Orleans managed it while missing three regulars in Murray, Poole and Missi. Zion Williamson posted 25 and 11, saving nine of his points for overtime. Big man Karlo Matkovic also reached 25, a personal best, and Derik Queen chipped in 20. A third straight win moves the Pelicans to 3-4. On the losing side, Cameron Boozer chipped in with a double-digit night of his own.
Tempers flared at the buzzer, when teammates and coaches restrained Grizzlies big man Isaiah Stewart during a shouting match with the visitors’ bench. Both teams get a breather: the league is dark on Election Day, with Memphis hosting Indiana and New Orleans welcoming Utah on Wednesday.
