A win was inevitable for the Memphis Grizzlies, sooner rather than later.
On Sunday, Desmond Bane scored 30 points and the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 112-100 for their first win of the season.
The Grizzlies have lost six straight games, the most since they opened 0-13 in 2002-03. Jaren Jackson Jr. contributed 27 points for the Grizzlies.
The Blazers were led by Jerami Grant's 27 points. The Associated Press (AP) reports that the team's three-game winning streak ended with the loss.
In the final quarter, the Blazers led 86-62, but Robert Williams III was knocked to the ground underneath the Grizzlies' basket and limping. Despite trying to play, he left the court and headed straight for the locker room.
Jackson's dunk tied the game at 100 with 5:26 left after Memphis went on a 9-0 run to get within 98-95. The Grizzlies led the rest of the way after he scored again.
In addition to Sharpe's 18 points and eight rebounds, Brogdon had his second straight double-double with 18 points and 11 assists.
For the second straight game, Portland was without rookie guard Scoot Henderson due to a right ankle sprain. Anfernee Simons was already out with a torn thumb ligament for the Blazers.
The Memphis Grizzlies signed Bismack Biyombo on Wednesday. He made his debut on Friday before starting on Sunday. In the third quarter, he collected his fifth foul and went to the bench. The past two seasons, Biyombo played for the Suns as a 12-year NBA veteran.
As a result of a sprained right ankle, Santi Aldama made his first appearance of the season for Memphis. Aldama's minutes would be limited, according to Jenkins.
At the end of the first quarter, the Grizzlies were within 32-30 after Luke Kennard's 3-pointer pulled them within 11 points.
The Grizzlies took the lead on Bane's floater after David Roddy's jumper tied it at 40. The Grizzlies led 63-55 after halftime thanks to Jackson's 3-pointer.
In the second half, Grant made three consecutive 3-pointers to pull Portland within 67-66. As Memphis' lead grew, Bane had an 8-0 run of his own.
With just over two minutes left in the third quarter, Skylar Mays hit a 3-pointer to give Portland a lead of 81-80.
It is still early in the Blazers' development, according to Coach Chauncey Billups. After the departure of All-Star guard Damian Lillard in the offseason, Portland is rebuilding.
NBA's new In-Season Tournament began Friday with a 115-113 overtime victory by the Blazers over the Grizzlies.
THE NEXT STEP
Wednesday, the Grizzlies host the Miami Heat.
In the first of three road games, the Trail Blazers will visit the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.