<p>MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Jonas Valanciunas scored a season-high 29 points and matched his season best with 20 rebounds to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 127-112 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.</p>
<p>Ja Morant added 21 points and 10 assists for Memphis, while rookie Desmond Bane finished with a season-high 20 points, going 5 of 8 from 3-point range.</p>
<p>Bradley Beal scored 21 points for the Wizards but was 6 of 22 from the field, including only 1 of 8 from 3-point range. Russell Westbrook finished with 20 points, while Davis Bertans and Deni Avdija scored 13 apiece.</p>
<p>The game tipped off the second half of the season for both teams sitting outside of the playoff picture, looking to rally for a postseason spot.</p>
<p>Washington wanted to prevent Memphis from scoring in the paint but had little success with the strategy, as the Grizzlies collected 78 paint points. </p>
<p>The Grizzlies benefitted from some Washington shooting struggles in the early stages of the first half, building the lead to 19 points in the second quarter.</p>
<p>But the Wizards closed the half with a 21-7 rally to cut the deficit to 67-62 at the break.</p>
<p>That came with Beal, the NBA’s leading scorer, going 1 of 9 from the field in the half.</p>
<p>While the Wizards would make a second-half run, even taking the league on a couple of occasions. Memphis pulled away in the fourth quarter.</p>
<p>TIP-INS</p>
<p>Wizards: Beal passed Phil Chenier for fourth on the Wizards’ career steals list. Chenier had 667. … Beal has scored at least 33 points in four of the last six games. The only two he didn’t were against the Grizzlies, including 23 on March 2. … Bertans has made multiple 3-pointers in the last 19 games he has played.</p>
<p>Grizzlies: Have won four straight in the series, which Memphis now leads 28-21, its winningest record against any NBA team. … G Grayson Allen missed his fourth game under the league’s concussion protocol. Dillon Brooks has a steal in each of the last 13 games he’s played. …Valanciunas recorded his 21st double-double in 28 games played this season.</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Wizards: Host the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday.</p>
<p>Grizzlies: Host the Denver Nuggets on Friday.</p>
<p>More AP NBA: <a href="https://apnews.com/NBA">https://apnews.com/NBA</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/AP_Sports">https://twitter.com/AP_Sports</a></p>
