Watson Lifts Grizzlies to First Win of Season

Memphis’ first sellout crowd this season got to see Michael Jordan play and the Grizzlies win.

Reserve Earl Watson scored a career-high 17 points and the Grizzlies beat Jordan and the Washington Wizards, 85-74, Saturday night.

“It was just a matter of time for us to collectively come to a point where we made it happen,” Watson said.

The Grizzlies (1-13) gave Hubie Brown a victory in his sixth game as coach and ended the worst season-opening losing streak in franchise history. Memphis averted the league record of 17 consecutive losses at the beginning of a season held by Miami (1988) and the Clippers (1999).

It was Brown’s first NBA victory since 1986, when he had a 4-12 record coaching the New York Knicks.

“We all know we didn’t win the World Series, but what happens now is it takes a little pressure off the kids in the community. That’s what I’m happy about,” Brown said.

Watson, a second-year guard out of UCLA, had five assists. Jordan led Washington with 20 points.

Memphis outshot Washington, 50% to 38%.

“It’s definitely a bad loss for us, and it leaves a bad taste in your mouth,” said Jerry Stackhouse, who scored a season-low nine points. “It’s an embarrassing loss.”

Sacramento 95, Portland 94 -- Hedo Turkoglu made two free throws with 14.4 seconds remaining at Portland, Ore., to lift the Kings.

Rasheed Wallace, who with guard Damon Stoudamire was cited for misdemeanor marijuana possession early Friday morning in Washington state, led Portland with 30 points and nine rebounds.

Stoudamire did not play for the second game in a row and the third time in the last four.

New Jersey 96, Minnesota 82 -- Kerry Kittles scored 17 of his 19 points in the first half, and Jason Kidd had 18 points and 12 assists to lift the Nets at Minneapolis.

Kevin Garnett had 19 points and 15 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who play seven of their next eight games on the road -- where they are 2-4 this season.

New Orleans 97, Cleveland 84 -- Baron Davis scored 13 of his 17 points after sitting out the third quarter at Cleveland because of back spasms, and the Hornets sent the Cavaliers to their 10th loss in a row.

Detroit 106, Indiana 91 -- Richard Hamilton had 22 points and five teammates scored in double figures at Indianapolis, and the Pistons ended the Pacers’ winning streak at nine games.

It was only the second time this season that the Pistons, who lead the league in scoring defense at 79.6 points per game, scored 100 points.

Boston 109, Atlanta 99 -- Shammond Williams stepped into the starting lineup and had 19 points and six of the Celtics’ 17 steals at Atlanta.

Paul Pierce scored 31 points and Antoine Walker scored 22 for Boston, which scored 24 points off 25 turnovers.

Utah 110, Chicago 90 -- Matt Harpring and Karl Malone each scored 20 points at Salt Lake City and the Jazz extended its winning streak to four games.

Utah has shot 50% or better from the field in three consecutive games.

Denver 80, Phoenix 79 -- Ryan Bowen’s layup as time expired at Phoenix gave the Nuggets their second buzzer-beating victory in as many games.

Bowen’s basket came after the Suns appeared to have won on Shawn Marion’s slam with six-tenths of a second remaining after a missed shot by Stephon Marbury.