Three days before flying to TD Garden to take on the NBA’s defending-champion Boston Celtics, Ja Morant, perhaps ironically, acknowledged a plan of leaving his gravity-defying jams as a relic of the past. Fortunately for hoops observers worldwide, beating a defender off the dribble was all that it took for the Memphis Grizzlies’ soul to have a change of heart. Keeping his word to that point, Morant — tallied for multiple layups despite rim-rocking opportunities being present — finds himself again face-to-face with temptation after springing ahead of Derrick White’s defensive stance. Urged to humorously explain the thinking behind what ultimately followed, Morant, knowing that any layup would be blocked by Kristaps Porzingis’ 7-foot-2 frame, calmly adjusts into the unthinkable, double-clutching in midair before powering in a breathtaking reverse. Keying a win capable of building Memphis’ title-aspiring confidence, the All-Star floor general erupted for 32 points, nine rebounds, nine assists, and two steals, complemented by efficient shooting overall (11-of-20), from deep (four-of-six), and from the charity stripe (six-of-seven). · Dec 8, 2024