Memphis turns the game before halftime
The Memphis Grizzlies beat the Atlanta Hawks 132–123 at State Farm Arena on October 5 in the United States, October 6 in the Philippines, using a 49-point second quarter to take control of their preseason opener.
Atlanta led 35–32 after the first period. Memphis then outscored the Hawks 49–26, turning a three-point deficit into an 81–61 halftime advantage. That 23-point swing gave the visitors enough room to withstand Atlanta’s stronger second half.
GG Jackson led Memphis with 14 points off the bench. Jaylen Wells and Ty Jerome each scored 12, while Cameron Boozer contributed 11 points, five rebounds and four assists. The Grizzlies used 18 players and finished with 32 assists on 43 made field goals.
Three-point accuracy separated the teams. Both attempted 43 shots from beyond the arc, but Memphis made 18 and Atlanta 14. The Grizzlies also converted 28 free throws to the Hawks’ 23. Each team made 43 field goals overall, making those extra threes and free throws central to the final margin.
Corey Kispert paced Atlanta with 19 points. Asa Newell added 12 points and 12 rebounds as the Hawks won the second half 62–51. Memphis nevertheless entered the fourth quarter ahead 110–98 and preserved a nine-point win.
The result belongs to the preseason and does not count toward regular-season standings. For Memphis, the opening game supplied both a productive offensive stretch and evidence of how quickly its advantage could shrink when the rotations changed.