MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Ja Morant scored 35 points, including a key basket with 32.9 seconds to play, and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the New Orleans Pelicans 128-122 on Wednesday night in the season opener for both teams.

Morant's basket gave the Grizzlies a 122-118 lead. Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Morant hit free throws in the closing seconds to seal the victory.

Jaren Jackson finished with 18 points and six blocks. Caldwell-Pope finished with 15 points. Rookie Cedric Coward hit all five of his shots from the field for 14 points. Coward was perfect from the free-throw line going 4 for 4. It was the first time a rookie with at least 10 points had a perfect night shooting in his debut since Thabo Sefolosha in 2006.

Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 27 points, nine

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