Ty Jerome scored 27 points and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the short-handed Toronto Raptors 118-102 Monday night at Scotiabank Arena, ending a three-game losing streak and staying perfect on the road.
Memphis improved to 7-3 overall and 5-0 away from home, the only team in the NBA unbeaten on the road, according to Roundtable. Toronto fell to 5-5.
The three straight losses had all come at FedExForum over five days: a 135-134 overtime loss to New Orleans on Nov. 2 despite 40 points from Jerome, a 107-103 loss to Indiana and a 128-97 loss to Oklahoma City in the teams' NBA Cup group-stage opener.
Monday's game was close early. The lead changed hands 13 times in the first half, and Toronto led 26-25 after one quarter behind Jamal Shead, who scored 13 of his 20 points in the opening period. Cam Spencer hit three 3-pointers in the second quarter, and Memphis led 59-53 at halftime.
The Grizzlies broke it open in the third with a 12-0 run that included a 30-foot 3-pointer from Jerome and two baskets from rookie Cameron Boozer, pushing the lead to 71-55. Jamison Battle answered with a perfect third quarter for Toronto, and the Raptors pulled within 94-92 early in the fourth. Memphis then pulled away again.
Jerome shot 9 of 19, including 5 of 11 from 3-point range, and made all four free throws. "We picked up our intensity again," he said. "We got back to our identity a little bit." Boozer added 22 points and eight assists, and Jerami Grant scored 17 off the bench.
Memphis shot 53.2% from the field and made 18 of 19 free throws, while Toronto shot 43.3%. The Grizzlies scored 26 points off Raptors turnovers.
Toronto played without Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, Collin Murray-Boyles and Kawhi Leonard. Memphis lost center Quinten Post in the first quarter.
The Grizzlies return home to host the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday at 7 p.m. CT.
Sources: Roundtable; Yahoo Sports; Sportsnet