Desmond Bane scores 38 in the Grizzlies' 109-103 victory over the Pistons

Desmond Bane scores 38 in the Grizzlies’ 109-103 victory over the Pistons

1 of 7 |

Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama (7) is congratulated by center Jay Huff, left, after scoring against the Detroit Pistons during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

2 of 7 |

Detroit Pistons guard Marcus Sasser, right, drives as he is grabbed at by Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

3 of 7 |

Detroit Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio, right, shoots over Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

4 of 7 |

Detroit Pistons forward Ron Holland II, right, reacts as Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

5 of 7 |

Detroit Pistons forward Paul Reed, left, reacts as guard Cade Cunningham looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

6 of 7 |

Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart, right, tries to dribble past Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

7 of 7 |

Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, left, argues a call with referee Jacyn Goble, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

By DAVE HOGG

💬

DETROIT (AP) — Desmond Bane scored 38 points, Zach Edey had a career-high 21 rebounds and the Memphis Grizzlies held off the Detroit Pistons 109-103 on Saturday night.

Ja Morant was a late scratch for the Grizzlies, who had lost seven of nine, because of an illness. Jaren Jackson had 27 points and 11 rebounds.

Cade Cunningham, returning after missing six games with a calf strain, had 25 points and nine rebounds for the Pistons, who have lost three of four. Ausar Thompson added 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Parse.ly - related stories

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) dunks against New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and guard Josh Hart (3) during the second half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Sunday, April 27, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Pistons star Cade Cunningham tries to stay upbeat after ugly finish to Game 4 loss to Knicks

Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, center, tries to argue a non-call after the New York Knicks won Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in Detroit, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (David Guralnick/Detroit News via AP)

NBA acknowledges a foul that wasn’t called at end of Pistons-Knicks game

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) walks across the court as New York Knicks center Ariel Hukporti, third from right, guard Josh Hart (3) and center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrate after winning Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Sunday, April 27, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Brunson scores 32, Towns adds 27, Knicks beat Pistons as Game 4 ends with missed foul call

Detroit trailed 91-85 when center Isaiah Stewart sat with five fouls. With Detroit’s usual starter, Jalen Duren, missing the game with an injury, the Pistons were forced to use 6-foot-6 Thompson against the 7-3 3/4 Edey.

The Pistons were as close as 93-91 with four minutes left, but struggled to stop the Grizzlies around the rim. Bane hit a 3-pointer to make it 104-98 with 56 seconds left and Memphis wrapped it up at free-throw line.

Takeaways

Grizzlies: Memphis has beaten the Pistons nine straight times. Detroit’s last win came on May 6, 2021.

Pistons: Duren missed the game with a contusion of the peroneal nerve in his right leg.

Key moment

Detroit was within two with 3:56 left, but Thompson fouled Santi Aldama on a 3-point attempt, then could only split a pair of free throws at the other end.

Key stat

Memphis struggled from the field in the first half, shooting 36.7% (18-49) and making just four of 18 3-point attempts (22.2%), but only trailed by one point at the intermission by grabbing 11 of 30 (36.7%) offensive-rebound opportunities. The Grizzlies finished the half with a 10-2 advantage in second-chance points.

Up nex

t

Memphis is at Charlotte on Tuesday night. The Pistons host Sacramento on Monday night.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba