Duke basketball star Grayson Allen drills game-winning shot for Grizzlies

Former Duke basketball standout Grayson Allen drilled the game-winning shot for the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night. 

The often-scrutinized and criticized former Duke basketball star, Grayson Allen, was the hero for the Memphis Grizzlies (7-6) on Monday night.

In a back-and-forth affair against the Phoenix Suns (7-5), Memphis was looking to get above .500 for the first time this season, and the Grizzlies rode two former National Champions in Durham to the finish line.

After Tyus Jones tied the game at 98 with under two minutes to play, Ja Morant drove into the lane, kicked the ball into the corner for Grayson Allen, and he drilled a 3-pointer, which put Memphis up 101-98, a lead the Grizzlies would not relinquish.

Allen would then make four straight free throws, giving Memphis a 105-100 lead and 107-103 lead, respectively, as the Grizzlies came away with a 108-104 victory.

Despite coming off the bench, Jones and Allen combined to score nine of the last 12 points for Memphis.

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Grayson Allen finished the night with 16 points, six rebounds, three assists, and one steal on 4-of-8 shooting from the floor, 2-of-5 from 3-point territory, and 6-of-7 from the free throw line.

Tyus Jones ended his afternoon with 11 points, five rebounds, three assists, and a steal on 5-of-8 shooting from the field and splitting his two 3-point attempts.

Duke basketball standouts will be critical for the Grizzlies

Things have not fallen in the favor of the Memphis Grizzlies early this season with injuries to Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., but the two Blue Devils have helped steady the season for the franchise and will be key in the future success.

Including his season-high 20 points on January 13 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Grayson Allen has posted three straight games in double-figures while averaging 7.3 points per game, shooting 35.6-percent from downtown.

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Tyus Jones is as steady and reliable as backup point guards come in the NBA, averaging 8.2 points and 5.6 assists per contest.

The Memphis Grizzlies will go on the road to face the Portland Trail Blazers (8-6) in back-to-back games on Wednesday, January 20, and Friday, January 22.