Kiwi Steven Adams has continued his career season in the NBA, providing the gamewinning basket, as his Memphis Grizzlies edged Cleveland Cavaliers at home.
The 115-114 victory has stretched the Grizzlies' winning streak to 11 games - matching their franchise record - and improved their record to 31-13 for the season, good enough for second in the Western Conference.
Trailling by one point with 16 seconds remaining, All Star guard Ja Morant drove to the basket, but his floating lay-up bobbled away from the rim, where Adams - the NBA's leading offensive rebounder - gleefully tipped the ball back for the deciding points.
Cleveland had a chance to snatch the lead back, but Memphis guard Dillon Brooks blocked a three-point attempt from counterpart Darius Garland to deny the buzzerbeater.
Guard Desmond Bane led the Memphis scoring with 25 points, including five threepointers, while Morant had 24 points and Adams logged a 13 points/10 rebounds double double - his 13th of the season. Garland paced the Cavaliers with 24 points/14 assists.
Adams, 29, is averaging a career-high 11.3 rebounds a game this season.
"He has been doing what he’s been doing all season... manning the boards," said Morant. "He got us the win."
The Grizzlies next face Los Angeles Lakers away on Saturday (NZ time).
More to come
