Fears' late free throws lift Pelicans past Grizzlies 135-134 in OT

Jeremiah Fears made two free throws with 7.3 seconds left in overtime to lift the New Orleans Pelicans to a 135-134 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, despite 40 points from Ty Jerome.

Zion Williamson's 17-foot step-back jumper with 1:16 left in overtime put New Orleans up 133-129. Jerome answered with two driving layups, the second with 18.8 seconds left, and made the free throw on that play to put Memphis up 134-133. Fears then went to the line, and Memphis did not score again.

Williamson finished with 25 points on 9-of-15 shooting and 11 rebounds, with no turnovers in 35 minutes. Karlo Matkovic, who came in averaging 7 points this season, scored 25 on 9-of-13 shooting and made 5 of 8 from 3-point range.

Memphis (6-1) led 80-73 early in the third quarter before New Orleans (3-4) scored 41 in that period. The Grizzlies had been the pregame favorite, at about 65 percent to win in both the market prices and our projection.

The Pelicans led 113-107 with five minutes left in regulation, but Memphis outscored them 27-22 over that stretch and overtime. An 11-0 run that began late in the fourth quarter and carried into the extra period put the Grizzlies ahead 126-124. The game had 16 lead changes and eight ties.

Jerome shot 14-of-22, made 5 of 6 from 3-point range and added five rebounds and five assists. Cameron Boozer had 18 points and nine rebounds. Memphis played without Scotty Pippen Jr. (low back soreness) and Quinten Post (right ankle sprain).

The Grizzlies shot better, with an effective field goal percentage of 61.5, but turned the ball over 16 times to eight for New Orleans. The Pelicans also grabbed 14 offensive rebounds.

Up next

Pelicans: home against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, November 4.

Grizzlies: home against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, November 4.