Memphis Grizzlies snap three-game losing streak without Dillon Brooks, De'Anthony Melton

Sunday got off to an unfortunate start when Dillon Brooks, De'Anthony Melton and Yves Pons entered health and safety protocols.

Questions emerged about the guard rotation, but answers came in short order. The Memphis Grizzlies (20-14) got off to a slow start but cruised to a 127-102 victory over the Sacramento Kings (13-21) at Golden 1 Center. The win snapped a three-game losing streak.

After leading by one at halftime, the Grizzlies outscored the Kings by 13 points in each of the last two quarters.

"I don't think a whole lot changed," Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said. "I thought our defensive activity was great in the first half, just the shots weren't falling. Luckily we were able to break through and have a really nice third quarter there."

The Grizzlies got contribution from several players despite being shorthanded. Seven players scored in double figures. Here are some observations from the win.

COVID: Memphis Grizzlies' Dillon Brooks, De'Anthony Melton, Yves Pons enter health and safety protocols

NEW GRIZZLIES REPORTER: What to expect from Damichael Cole, new Memphis Grizzlies writer for The Commercial Appeal

JA MORANT: Three reasons why reaction to Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant's comments were overblown

Desmond Bane steps up

When everyone was struggling offensively, Desmond Bane was consistent. When his teammates got going, Bane was still good. He led the Grizzlies with 28 points, which was one shy of his career high. He also shot 4-for-6 from 3-point range. The rest of the team was 5-for-22.

Sharing is caring

The Grizzlies had one of their best passing games of the season. Sunday's 33 assists were their second most of the season, only behind the blowout win against Oklahoma City. Guard Ja Morant's nine assists were no surprise, but center Steven Adams added six in 27 minutes.

"Sometimes we shy away from (passing) thinking we can do it on our own," Bane said. "Today, I think we stuck with it, our defense turned into offense and we continued to share the ball, started making shots and busted the game open."

Still a scrappy defense

Losing Brooks and Melton, one would think that the Grizzlies edginess would suffer, but that wasn't the case.

John Konchar stepped into Brooks' starting spot and dived everywhere for lose balls. He hustled his way to 14 rebounds. Killian Tillie made it tough on Kings guards when they thought they had mismatch on switches. The overall intensity was high as Memphis held Sacramento to 42% shooting and forced 18 turnovers.

"I didn't even know he had 14 (rebounds), that's wild," Jaren Jackson Jr. said. "It felt like every time we missed, someone got a board and we were kicking it back out getting a good shot."

Contact Damichael Cole at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com and on Twitter @damichaelc

A Twitter List by philkaplan

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies snap losing streak without Dillon Brooks, De'Anthony Melton