Deadspin NBA roundup: Cameron Boozer’s triple-double keeps Grizzlies unbeaten at 5-0
Memphis stays unbeaten
Rookie Cameron Boozer finished with 18 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists in Memphis’ 124-103 road win over Portland on Thursday night. The triple-double was the first of his career.
Isaiah Stewart scored 18 points off the bench, and Cedric Coward added 17 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Memphis moved to 5-0; the Grizzlies and Houston Rockets were the league’s remaining unbeaten teams.
Atlanta ends losing streak
Onyeka Okongwu scored a season-high 29 points as host Atlanta beat Cleveland. Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 25 points and made two decisive free throws with 15.3 seconds left. Aaron Wiggins contributed a season-best 20 points and seven rebounds off the bench. The victory ended Atlanta’s three-game losing streak.
James Harden scored a season-high 24 points for Cleveland, which saw its three-game winning streak end. Donovan Mitchell had 22 points and missed two potential tying three-pointers in the closing seconds.
New Orleans earns first win
New Orleans beat visiting Sacramento to claim its first win of the season in a matchup of teams that entered the night without a victory. Jeremiah Fears came close to his first career triple-double, while he and Zion Williamson each scored 22 points.
The Pelicans were coming off a fourth straight season-opening loss, a 104-91 home defeat to Denver the previous day. Sacramento rookie Darius Acuff Jr. scored a season-best 34 points.
Key points
- Cameron Boozer’s first career triple-double helped Memphis improve to 5-0.
- The Grizzlies beat Portland 124-103, handing the Trail Blazers their first loss.
- Ja Morant left in the fourth quarter with a left hamstring injury.
- Atlanta and New Orleans both ended losing streaks with wins.