Grizzlies Hold Off Bulls 104-100 in Preseason Grind

The Memphis Grizzlies ground out a 104-100 win over the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on Friday night in NBA preseason play, surviving a late Chicago push to stay perfect in the early exhibition slate. Memphis controlled the first half, taking a 60-50 lead into the break behind steady execution on both ends. Chicago roared back after halftime, winning the third quarter 32-25 to cut the deficit, but the Grizzlies held their nerve down the stretch, closing out a tight fourth quarter 19-18 to seal the four-point win. The result keeps both sides in preseason tune-up mode with the regular season approaching. For Memphis, it was another step in building rhythm; for Chicago, the comeback effort offered positives despite the defeat. Elsewhere in Friday's preseason action, the Houston Rockets' 135-117 thrashing of the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA China Games in Macao remained the day's headline result, while the preseason schedule continues through the weekend with teams finalizing rotations ahead of opening night.