Philadelphia 76ers guard De’Anthony Melton made his return to Memphis on Friday to face his former Grizzlies team for the first time since being traded to the Sixers on draft night back in June. Melton spent three seasons with the Grizzlies so it was a reunion for him.
Melton got to see some familiar faces and reunite with some friends out on the hardwood which is always good for a player in the NBA. He ended up scoring 13 points and drilling three triples, but the Grizzlies came away with the 117-109 win to send the Sixers to 0-2 on their 3-game road trip.
Afterward, Grizzlies star Ja Morant expressed a lot of love for Melton, but between the lines, it’s all about getting the win.
“That’s my guy,” Morant told reporters. “Obviously, we’re on opposite sides now. Inside those four lines, you pretty much can’t have friends, so I just got to come in, do my job, and win a game.”
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Morant had 28 points, but he shot just 10-for-28 as he was bothered by Melton who was a pest out on the floor defensively. Melton had the best plus-minus for Philadelphia on the night at a plus-11, but it wasn’t enough.
The Sixers will now look to finish the road trip on a positive note when they face the Houston Rockets on Monday.
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