Ja Morant returns after knee injury, Grizzlies beat Pelicans | NBA

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From The Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Ja Morant had 21 points and nine assists on his return from right knee pain, Dillon Brooks had 23 points and the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 141-114 on Saturday night to close the 2012 year tie -13 franchise record for wins in a season at 56.

After missing nine games, Morant played nearly 27 minutes as the second-ranked Grizzlies reassembled their starting lineup in preparation for the postseason. They will wrap up the regular season at home against Boston on Sunday night.

Brandon Clarke added 20 points for Memphis and made all 10 of his field goal attempts. Ziaire Williams had 19 points and Desmond Bane had 18. The Grizzlies shot better than 60% in three quarters. They snapped a two-game losing streak.

CJ McCollum led New Orleans with 16 points but was out of the field 6 of 17. Willy Hernangomez added 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Jaxson Hayes had 13 points.

In an attempt to secure the ninth seed for the play-in tournament, the Pelicans played without top scorer Brandon Ingram. He missed his second straight game due to muscle strain.

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PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid made his final point for the MVP votes and all but secured the NBA scoring title by ending Philadelphia’s win over Indiana with 41 points and 20 rebounds.

Embiid shot 14-17 from the floor, went 11-15 from the foul line and made both of his 3-point attempts in a game Philadelphia needed to win to stay alive for the third seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs .

James Harden added 22 points and 14 assists for Philadelphia.

Oshae Brissett scored 20 points for Indiana. The Pacers have lost nine straight games.

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